Find out how popular the first name Covey has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Covey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Covey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 79% of people named Covey being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 19 male babies and 11 female babies born with the name Covey.

The history of the first name Covey

The name Covey is an English given name derived from the old English word "cove," meaning a small bay or inlet. It is believed to have originated as a surname given to people who lived near such geographic features. The name was first recorded in the 13th century, with the earliest known instance being a man named William Covey, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1260.

One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Covey was Robert Covey, an English Puritan minister who lived from 1601 to 1682. He was a prominent figure in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and served as the minister of the First Church of Boston for several years.

In the 17th century, another individual named Covey made his mark in history. John Covey (1638-1685) was an English sailor and explorer who is credited with being one of the first Europeans to explore the coastline of what is now Western Australia.

Moving into the 18th century, we find Samuel Covey (1701-1776), an American farmer and soldier who fought in the French and Indian War. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress during the American Revolutionary War.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Covey was Stephen R. Covey (1932-2012), an American author and educator. He was best known for his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," which sold over 25 million copies and was one of the most influential self-help books of all time.

While not as widely recognized, another notable Covey was James E. Covey (1920-2013), an American naval officer who served in World War II and the Korean War. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Covey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Covey, please contact us.

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