Unisex name · Irish
Casey
“brave in battle, vigilant”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Casey.
Explore Casey further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Casey — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Casey is Irish Ó Cathasaigh, from cathasach — vigilant or brave in battle, built on cath, the same battle element in Cathal and Cahir. It became a surname first and a given name much later.
It is one of the earliest of the surname-names to go unisex in America, running close to even for boys and girls through the 1980s and 1990s. Both have declined since; it sits outside the top 500 for either.
Cass is the short form that reads current. Two syllables want two or three (Casey Wilder, Casey Maeve). On our vibe map it is Y2K Nostalgic with Modern Minimalist bones.
More Irish names
Casey sits in our Irish set — these share its roots.
All Irish names →Casey — common questions
Is Casey a boy or girl name?
Casey is a unisex name — it is given to boys and girls alike, and we list it that way (Irish origin).
What does the name Casey mean?
Casey means “brave in battle, vigilant” of Irish origin. Casey is Irish Ó Cathasaigh, from cathasach — vigilant or brave in battle, built on cath, the same battle element in Cathal and Cahir. It became a surname first and a given name much later.
Where does the name Casey come from?
Casey is Irish in origin. It is one of the earliest of the surname-names to go unisex in America, running close to even for boys and girls through the 1980s and 1990s. Both have declined since; it sits outside the top 500 for either.
What are common nicknames for Casey?
Case and Cass — the short-forms parents most often use for Casey.
How popular is Casey?
Casey did not make the top 1,000 boys' or girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Casey you might want for the nursery.