Casey is a gender-neutral given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Cathasaigh", which means "descendant of Cathasach". The name Cathasach is believed to mean "vigilant" or "watchful".
The use of Casey as a given name gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century, likely due to its association with popular figures such as the baseball player James "Casey" Kelly and the poet laureate of Ireland, Padraic Colum.
Over time, Casey has become a widely recognized name throughout the English-speaking world. Despite its Irish origins, it is now used by people of various ethnic backgrounds. Today, Casey remains a popular choice for parents seeking a unique yet timeless name for their child. It is often associated with qualities such as strength, independence, and adaptability.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Casey experienced significant growth in popularity from the mid-20th century onwards. The earliest peak occurred in 1971 with 1126 births, marking a substantial increase compared to previous decades. This trend continued throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, with record-high numbers reaching up to 4132 births in 1990.
However, since the late 1980s, the popularity of the name Casey has been declining steadily. It reached a low point in recent years, with only 552 births recorded in 2020 and 684 in 2021. Despite this decline, Casey remains a popular name, as evidenced by the total number of births over time (114,482), indicating that it has been widely used throughout the century.
In summary, while the name Casey was quite popular during its peak years, particularly in the late 20th century, its popularity has since declined and stabilized at lower levels.