Casey is a gender-neutral given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Cathasaigh," which is composed of the elements "ó" meaning "descendant of," and "Cathasaigh" meaning "vigilant" or "watchful." Therefore, Casey means "watchful or vigilant person."
The name Casey has a long history in Ireland. It originated as a surname before becoming a popular given name for both boys and girls in the 20th century. In some cases, the name may also have been inspired by the Irish poem "Casey at the Bat," which was written by Ernest Lawrence Thayer in 1888.
Today, Casey is a unisex name that is often chosen for its strong, confident sound and its historical ties to Ireland. It has gained popularity worldwide due to its appealing nature and unique origin story. Despite its Irish roots, Casey is now used globally, making it a truly international choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar name for their child.
The name Casey experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century. From its early beginnings with a handful of births each year between 1921 and 1950, it gained substantial traction starting from the late 1950s. The name reached its peak popularity in the late 1970s to mid-1980s, with over 3,000 births per year during this period. However, it has since declined steadily and is now among the least popular names compared to its heyday.