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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Unsure about boy's name

38 replies

kara1987 · 10/05/2017 15:12

Hi,

My partner and I are nearing 30 and first time parents. We don't know anyone with children, so when we looked at baby names we only had our own preconceptions to go by.

We both really liked the name Cody, as it's an Irish name (OH is half Irish) and we didn't know anyone with that name.

However since choosing it, I'm now starting to hear negative connotations and I'm worried it's a naughty child name/ has a lot of preconceptions around it. Particularly (without trying to be too judgmental) around certain types of families.

Is this the case? Am I better avoiding it all together?

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user1493022461 · 14/05/2017 12:07

Americans like to claim lots of names as Irish. Cody is similar to an Irish surname, that does not mean it is an Irish name when used as a given name by any stretch.

It's very american. And personally I don't like it at all.

BoboBunnyH0p · 14/05/2017 12:04

I know a Cody he is in my DD class, he is a lovely young man. I like it and if you and your DH do too then go for it.

haveacupoftea · 13/05/2017 13:59

I'm in Ireland and I've only come across one Cody, his mum was English!

I like the name though!

Rainsbow · 13/05/2017 06:24

I agree MumBod

MumBod · 12/05/2017 16:18

Sorry, but when I was teaching there were certain names that caused me to get a little heart-sink when I saw them on the class lists.

Cody would have been one.

Impresionante · 12/05/2017 15:11

I've only come across female ones, have known 3 in this area all ages about 12-14 now. I like it way better than Emily and Lucy (soz), but not that keen. Would be happy for my kids to be friends with one though! (Like I care what anyone's kids are called. Pick what you like)

ineedamoreadultieradult · 12/05/2017 15:08

Im not a huge fan of Cody for no apparent reason. I like Corey though.

mum2be2boys · 12/05/2017 15:07

I like Cody and I've never met one (I've been a teacher for 14 years so have met lots of small people!) If you like it, go for it! :-)

dustarr73 · 12/05/2017 15:05

Rainbow that comes across very snobby .

paddypants13 · 12/05/2017 15:04

I actually really like it. Go for it op!

Rainsbow · 12/05/2017 14:58

I think Cody fits into the list of Brandon, Blake, Greyson, Emerson etc etc ie surnames used as first names. It's not my cup of tea at all but clearly other people do like names like these. When I named my kids I imagined them older, at university, applying for jobs etc.

CricketRuntAndRashers · 12/05/2017 10:53

TBH, the Irish relevance isn't really that important to me. It's something my OH picked up on whilst looking a made him really like the name - and finally something we could agree on as we couldn't think of anyone called Cody.

Well, in this case Cody is great (imo) :)

It obviously depends on where you live, but for England & Wales this website is very useful imo.

names.darkgreener.com/#tobias
names.darkgreener.com/#cody

I personally really like Tobias, btw :)

Original poster
kara1987 · 12/05/2017 10:39

TBH, the Irish relevance isn't really that important to me. It's something my OH picked up on whilst looking a made him really like the name - and finally something we could agree on as we couldn't think of anyone called Cody.

I find names incredible difficult as without any knowing anyone with children I don't really know what's popular and what might be a bit questionable. I did really like Tobias too, but I've now recently discovered that Toby is fact a very popular name and it's kind of ruined it for me.

Thank you for your advice though. It's helpful to at least gauge other's opinions!

OP posts:
heateallthebuns · 11/05/2017 21:59

I live in Ireland, I've never come across anyone called Cody.

How about:
Cormac
Conor
Cian

DramaAlpaca · 11/05/2017 21:58

It's an Irish surname, but I've never heard of it used as a first name in Ireland. It has very American connotations to me. That said, I don't mind it as a name.

dustarr73 · 11/05/2017 21:55

I'm Irish and i know a male Cody.Hes my nephew.I like it, not too common but not too out there either.

sycamore54321 · 11/05/2017 17:04

Oh and on your specific question, I don't think it is so rarely used that it doesn't really come with a preconception. I've certainly never heard it when primary school teachers are chatting about the names they dread seeing on the roll. Even if it were, so what. Let your child be the one that changes perceptions if needs be.

sycamore54321 · 11/05/2017 17:02

Crazy autocorrect in the second sentence, should say Irish name.

sycamore54321 · 11/05/2017 17:01

I've never heard it as a first name in Ireland. You say your main reason for liking it is that it is an Important eh name - I'm afraid that if your intention is to reflect an Irish heritage, then this name definitely doesn't do that. So by all means, use it if you wish but don't expect anyone to immediately ask "oh, are you Irish?", the way they might if you named your baby Brendan or Declan or Padraig. The Irishness just doesn't carry with it as a first name.

Some nice suggestions for Irish boys names in previous posts, if that element is important to you.

CricketRuntAndRashers · 10/05/2017 23:11

Cormac is lovely! I also like Dean (Idk if they're the same style, tbh).

Anyhow, it seems as if Cody is actually more commonly used (%) in the UK and Ireland than in the US. I'm not sure why I think of it as an American name... It's in the top 100 in Scotland and Ireland...

www.behindthename.com/name/cody

WankersHacksandThieves · 10/05/2017 23:00

I'm not a fan of Cody and i'd associate it with young parents or with the USA.

In the same style I prefer:

Austin
Cormac
Ciaran
Ciar

Dogsmom · 10/05/2017 22:13

I know 3 Cody's, 2 girls and a boy and none of them are naughty.

Regarding "certain types of family", I've only ever come across that on here and it seems to be associated with K or C initials usually on boys (and it utter nonsense)

bridgetreilly · 10/05/2017 21:15

It is Irish in origin, but not as a forename, only as a surname.

I think it's not a bad name, though, if you like it. 'Naughty' associations are much stronger with the individual child than any particular name.

SuperBeagle · 10/05/2017 20:35

This is one of the most reliable name sites and it says it's Irish in origin.

I like Cody. I'm in the minority though. It reminds me kodiak and the Kodiak bear. I do think it's quite American sounding both due to its popularity there and what it reminds me of, but being American sounding isn't a bad thing.

Unsure about boy's name
TinfoilHattie · 10/05/2017 18:42

I know a few here in Glasgow. One named Kody which is awful. Cody is better.

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