Coy

At a Glance

Origin

Uncertain (possibly the English word 'coy, ' or a short form of the surname McCoy)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

KOYListen

Coy has a background that isn't fully settled — it may come from the English word 'coy,' or it could be a short form of the surname McCoy. You might see it described as meaning 'from the woods,' but that claim isn't backed by any source we could find, and it's likely a mix-up with an unrelated name; a link to 'shy' or quiet, or to McCoy, fits the evidence better. If you like a name with some open history rather than a fixed, tidy definition, Coy leaves room for that.

Meaning & Origin of Coy

Origin: uncertain (possibly the English word 'coy, ' or a short form of the surname McCoy).

A common claim: 'From the woods' Actually: Not supported by any source we found, and likely confused with an unrelated name; 'Coy' more plausibly relates to the English word for 'shy/quiet' or is a short form of McCoy.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Coy

Popularity of Coy

Coy has been recorded in U.S. baby name data going back to 1880, reaching its high point in 1910 with 69 babies given the name, good for rank #299 that year. It's far rarer today, sitting at #1507 in 2024 with just 118 babies named Coy.

Names Like Coy

Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.

• Elinor
• Eleanore
• Ishmael
• Ivar
• Vernon
• Sybil

FAQ

What does the name Coy mean?

‘From the woods’ Not supported by any source we found, and likely confused with an unrelated name; ‘Coy’ more plausibly relates to the English word for ‘shy/quiet’ or is a short form of McCoy.

How do you pronounce Coy?

Coy is pronounced KOY (IPA: /kɔɪ/).

Is Coy a popular name right now?

Coy peaked at #299 in 1910 and is ranked #1507 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Coy Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Coy, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.