Holding steady.
Popularity of Cagney since 1982
Babies named Cagney per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 126 | 95 |
| 1990s | 44 | 5 |
| 2000s | 16 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Cagney is a surname-turned-first name that entered the U.S. naming pool in 1982, likely inspired by the iconic actor James Cagney. Its first recorded year in Social Security data is 1982, and it reached its peak popularity in 1986, though it has never cracked the top 1000. The name remains rare, with a one-in-N occurrence too low to report. Its trajectory has been stable since the 1980s, and while it is unisex, it has been given more often to girls. As a modern coinage derived from an Irish surname, Cagney offers a distinctive, two-syllable option with a classic Hollywood association.
Cagney originated as a surname, notably associated with the American actor James Cagney (1899-1986). Its use as a given name began in the late 20th century, likely inspired by his fame. The surname itself is of Irish origin, an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Caingne meaning 'descendant of the servant of the church' or possibly from the place name Cageny in Ireland.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cags
Sibling names for Cagney
Names that share Cagney's style, for a brother or sister.
