Coy is an uncommon given name of American origin. It is derived from the English word "coy," which means shy or modest. However, it is important to note that Coy as a given name has no direct connection to this meaning.
The name Coy is believed to have originated as a shortened form of the Irish surname Coyle or Coyne. These surnames are derived from the Gaelic word "caiilidh," which means "comely" or "beautiful." Thus, Coy could be considered a unisex given name meaning "beautiful."
The use of Coy as a given name is not widespread and is often found among families with Irish ancestry. However, it has gained some popularity in recent years due to its unique sound and association with the outdoors, thanks to its similarity to words like "coyote" and "coyote howl." Despite this, it remains relatively rare compared to other names.
There are no significant historical figures named Coy, nor is there any notable history or folklore associated with this name. Its rarity may contribute to its lack of widespread cultural significance.
In popular culture, the most well-known figure named Coy is Coy Bowles, a founding member and lead guitarist of the Zac Brown Band. However, it's important to note that he was born Joshua C. Bowles, but went by his middle name professionally.
Overall, Coy is an uncommon yet intriguing given name with Irish roots and a unique sound. Its meaning may vary depending on whether it's considered a shortened form of an Irish surname or a unisex name meaning "beautiful." Despite its rarity, it has gained some popularity in recent years due to its distinctive sound and association with nature.
Based on the statistical data provided, the name Coy has experienced varying popularity over time in the United States. The earliest record of the name dates back to 1895 with just 9 births that year. This number fluctuated significantly in the early years, ranging from a low of 5 births in several years between 1904 and 2014, to peaks of 23 births in 1918 and 22 births in both 1921 and 1924.
The name Coy reached its peak popularity during the late 1910s and early 1920s, with consistently higher numbers of births each year from 1915 to 1924. However, after this period, the popularity of the name declined steadily over time. From the mid-1930s onwards, the number of babies named Coy at birth remained consistently low, rarely exceeding double digits.
In recent years, from 2000 to 2014, there were no more than 6 births per year with the name Coy. The most recent data point in 2014 shows that there were just 5 births for this name, indicating a continued low level of popularity.
Overall, based on these statistics, we can conclude that while the name Coy once enjoyed some degree of popularity in the United States, particularly around the early to mid-20th century, its usage has significantly decreased over time and remains quite uncommon today.