2 syllables: co, dy. Stress on co.
KOH-dee
/ˈkoʊdi/
cody is pronounced KOH-dee (/ˈkoʊdi/). It has two syllables (co-dy), with the stress on "co". Cody is a proper noun commonly used as a given name. It can also appear as a surname or in fictional contexts. The term itself does not carry semantic meaning beyond its association with the person or entity bearing the name; pronunciation and spelling cues are the primary identifiers in use.
Cody is a proper noun commonly used as a given name. It can also appear as a surname or in fictional contexts. The term itself does not carry semantic meaning beyond its association with the person or entity bearing the name; pronunciation and spelling cues are the primary identifiers in use.
Tip: rehearse with a slow, deliberate rhythm, then speed up while maintaining the two distinct syllables.
"I met Cody at the conference and we compared notes on pronunciation."
"Cody’s name was misspelled on the program, so I corrected it."
"The actor Cody Smith released a new film this year."
Pronounce as two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈkoʊdi/ in US, and /ˈkəʊdi/ in UK. Start with the rounded, close-mid back vowel in the first syllable, followed by the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ glide into a clear /di/ after a short, crisp onset. Mouth positioning: lips rounded for the first vowel, then relaxed for the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/, and finish with a crisp /d/ plus a light /i/ vowel. You’ll hear a steady beat: CO-dy.
Two frequent errors: 1) Slurring the second syllable into an indistinct /iː/ or /ɪ/ (e.g., /ˈkoʊdɪ/ vs /ˈkoʊdi/). 2) Misplacing primary stress or making the vowel in the first syllable too short (saying /ˈkoʊdi/ with weak emphasis). Correction: hold the first syllable vowel longer and clearly release the /d/ before the final /i/. Practice with a slight pause after the first syllable to cue the two distinct parts.
In US English, /ˈkoʊdi/ with a pronounced /oʊ/ and rhotic R absence in the name itself. UK English often shifts to /ˈkəʊdi/ with a higher onglide and less rounded first vowel, depending on the speaker. Australian English is similar to US but can show slightly flatter /oː/ and a quicker transition to /di/, with a crisp dental /d/. All share two syllables, but vowel quality and vowel length may vary subtly.
The challenge lies in securing a clean, two-syllable rhythm with an exact split between /koʊ/ and /di/. For non-native speakers, the glide in the first syllable can blur into a diphthong, and the /d/ before /i/ should be clear rather than a soft, nearly silent release. Also, maintaining stress on the first syllable across accents requires alertness to varying vowels (/oʊ/ vs /əʊ/). IPA anchoring helps: /ˈkoʊdi/ vs /ˈkəʊdi/.
The name’s two-syllable nature makes the transition from the vowel to the consonant crisp but not overly forceful. You should release the /d/ just before the final vowel, avoiding a split that sounds like /koʊ-dyee/ or /ko-dɪ/. This subtle timing—the short stop before the /i/—is a differentiator in natural, name-specific pronunciation.
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Cody originated as an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name O’Codha, meaning ‘descendant of Codha’ or sometimes interpreted as a descriptor tied to a place name. The surname was later adopted as a given name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where it gained popularity in the 20th century due to American cultural figures and media representation. The transition from surname to given name reflects a common pattern in Anglophone naming practices, with many Irish and Scottish family names becoming first names. Early uses in literature and records often linked to individuals named with the surname, and the modern usage as a standalone first name became more prominent in the mid-1900s, aligning with broader trends of using condensed, easily pronounceable names. Today, Cody is widely recognized as a masculine given name in North America, though its usage for females has increased in some regions. First known uses include genealogical references and settler-era naming, with popularity peaking through late 20th and early 21st centuries as a familiar, informal choice.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cody" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cody" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cody" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "cody"
-ody sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
