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At a Glance
- Meaning
- From an English surname traced to a historical individual named Jacob Cady; used as a given name/nickname with no independent 'pure' meaning
- Origin
- English (surname/place name)
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- KAY-dee
Cady comes from an English surname, traced back to a historical man named Jacob Cady, rather than from a word with its own meaning — it's really a surname turned given name. It's pronounced KAY-dee (/ˈkeɪdi/). You may come across the claim that Cady means 'pure' or 'clear,' but that's not supported; the surname origin doesn't carry that meaning, and the mix-up likely comes from confusion with Katherine-derived names.
Meaning & Origin of Cady
Meaning: From an English surname traced to a historical individual named Jacob Cady; used as a given name/nickname with no independent 'pure' meaning.
Origin: English (surname/place name).
A common claim: Often said to mean 'pure' or 'clear,' sometimes linked to Katherine-type names. Actually: Wiktionary traces Cady to an English surname named after a historical figure, Jacob Cady, rather than to a meaning of 'pure' or 'clear.' The 'pure' gloss likely comes from confusion with Katherine-derived names.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Cady
KAY-deeIPA /ˈkeɪdi/
Popularity of Cady
Cady had its biggest year in 1992, when 155 girls were given the name and it ranked #1138 nationally. By 2024 it had fallen to #7635, with only 14 girls given the name that year.
Names Like Cady
These names share Cady’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Cady mean?
From an English surname traced to a historical individual named Jacob Cady; used as a given name/nickname with no independent ‘pure’ meaning. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Cady?
Cady is pronounced KAY-dee (IPA: /ˈkeɪdi/).
Is Cady a popular name right now?
Cady peaked at #1138 in 1992 and is ranked #7635 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1970–2024.)
Make Cady Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Cady, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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