Cassidy

Origin

Derived from Irish Gaelic ‘Caiside’, possibly meaning ‘curly-haired’ or ‘mischievous’. The surname Caiside originated in County Donegal, Ireland, and later adopted as a given name. It gained popularity in the United States and Australia as a unisex given name due to surname-to-first-name trends in the 20th century.

Meaning

Literal translation relates to ‘curly-haired’ or ‘mischievous’ in Irish Gaelic, with local nuances in Australian English often associating the name with traits of adaptability and vivacity.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæs.ɪ.di/ (Australian English pronunciation, with emphasis on the first syllable). In colloquial speech, it may be pronounced /ˈkæs.i/ or /ˈkæs.di/.

Variants & Nicknames

Name Days

• 07 June (St. Columba of Iona's feast day, acknowledging Irish heritage)
• Most Australian calendars do not assign specific name days to Cassidy, but some Catholic calendars honour related saints on 7 June.
• Australian cultural celebrations do not typically observe Cassidy as a name day.

Name Pairings

Names that pair well with cassidy:

• James Cassidy, Alice Cassidy
• Oliver Cassidy, Emily Cassidy
• Elliot Cassidy, Sophie Cassidy

Fun Facts

• Cassidy is also the name of a popular Australian folk song performed by John Williamson.
• It became more common in Australia as a given name after Irmgard Cassidy, a prominent Australian artist, gained recognition.
• The surname Cassidy appears frequently in Australian police and legal history, often associated with notable legal cases.

Personality Traits

Common traits associated with the name cassidy:

• Outgoing
• Adventurous
• Creative
• Resilient

Aesthetic Qualities

The visual form of Cassidy has a balanced, approachable look with a soft ending, appealing in Australian literature and media as a friendly, modern name.

Geographical Distribution

More common in urban centres such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, where surname-based given names are fashionable among younger generations and families with Irish heritage.

Numerological Significance

Name number 3, associated with creativity, communication, and optimism, aligning well with the Australian cultural emphasis on mateship and open expression.

Astrological Connections

Aligned with the zodiac sign Gemini, suggesting adaptability, curiosity, and a lively spirit, which matches the personality traits often attributed to those named Cassidy.

Historical Context

The name gained US popularity in the 1960s and 1970s through American actor David Cassidy and the popular folk song ‘The Ballad of Cassidy’. In Australia, it has been embraced as part of the broader trend of surname-as-first-name usage.

Linguistic Adaptability

The name easily adapts across languages, maintaining its spelling and pronunciation in English-speaking countries. Variants are limited but include phonetic adaptations in non-English scripts, such as Кэссиди in Cyrillic.

Famous People Named cassidy

• David Cassidy (Actor & Singer)
• Keavy Cassidy (Australian actress)
• Cath Cassidy (Australian nurse and community leader)

Popularity in Australia