Cynthia Girl

Popularity: #703 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SIN-thia //ˈsɪnθiə//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: 'moon'; Latin: 'from Kynthos'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cynthia has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word 'Kynthia,' which refers to the goddess Artemis, who was born on Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos. The name was initially used as a poetic epithet for Artemis, symbolizing her connection to the moon and nature.

The transition of the name into Latin occurred as the Romans adopted Greek mythology, where 'Cynthia' became a common reference to the moon goddess, further solidifying its association with lunar imagery. The name entered the English language through the influence of Latin during the Renaissance, when classical names were revived and popularized in literature and culture.

Historically, the name Cynthia has been borne by various notable figures, including the English poet John Milton, who used it in his works during the 17th century. In his epic poem "Paradise Lost," published in 1667, Milton invokes the name Cynthia in relation to the moon, showcasing its literary significance.

Additionally, the name appears in the works of other poets and playwrights, reflecting its enduring presence in English literature. The 18th century saw further usage in poetry and drama, as writers continued to draw upon classical themes and figures.

Culturally, Cynthia has been associated with themes of beauty, femininity, and the celestial, often symbolizing the moon's gentle and nurturing qualities. This connection to the moon has made the name resonate in various artistic and literary contexts, reinforcing its appeal across generations.

The diminutive form 'Cindy' emerged in later centuries, becoming a familiar variant, though the original form 'Cynthia' retains its classical elegance and historical depth. Overall, the name's journey from ancient Greece to modern English encapsulates a rich tapestry of mythological and literary significance.

Famous people named Cynthia

In this section, you will find notable people named Cynthia. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cynthia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cynthia who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Cynthia Erivo is an actress and singer best known for Harriet, The Color Purple, and Widows.

Cynthia Bailey is a model and television personality best known for The Real Housewives of Atlanta and her modeling career.

Cynthia Rothrock is a martial artist and actress best known for China O'Brien, Righting Wrongs, and Martial Law.

Cynthia Stevenson is an actress best known for So I Married an Axe Murderer, Dead Like Me, and The Player.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson is an actress best known for Arrow, Spartacus, and The Accountant.

Fictional characters named Cynthia

The following list of fictional characters named Cynthia is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Cynthia is a fictional character from the animated series Pokémon. She is a renowned Pokémon Champion known for her expertise in battling and her strong bond with her Pokémon.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cynthia, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cynthia. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cynthia was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Cynthia has ranked as high as #16 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Cynthia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cynthia is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cynthia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cynthia.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 247 0 247
2024 331 0 331
2023 308 0 308
2022 315 0 315
2021 346 0 346
2020 308 0 308
2019 378 0 378
2018 419 0 419
2017 462 0 462
2016 552 0 552
2015 580 0 580
2014 636 0 636
2013 601 0 601
2012 750 0 750
2011 733 0 733
2010 835 0 835
2009 893 0 893
2008 1,076 0 1,076
2007 1,234 0 1,234
2006 1,420 0 1,420
2005 1,574 0 1,574
2004 1,521 0 1,521
2003 1,667 5 1,662
2002 1,839 6 1,833
2001 1,921 0 1,921
2000 2,038 0 2,038
1999 2,232 7 2,225
1998 2,638 7 2,631
1997 2,724 10 2,714
1996 3,198 8 3,190
1995 2,969 12 2,957
1994 3,186 25 3,161
1993 3,403 20 3,383
1992 3,570 22 3,548
1991 3,728 21 3,707
1990 3,823 26 3,797
1989 3,819 41 3,778
1988 3,809 25 3,784
1987 3,422 30 3,392
1986 3,446 24 3,422
1985 4,159 30 4,129
1984 4,652 30 4,622
1983 4,582 29 4,553
1982 4,449 22 4,427
1981 4,876 17 4,859
1980 4,721 21 4,700
1979 4,959 28 4,931
1978 5,426 23 5,403
1977 5,805 23 5,782
1976 6,044 32 6,012
1975 6,575 36 6,539
1974 7,583 26 7,557
1973 8,777 34 8,743
1972 10,211 38 10,173
1971 12,183 40 12,143
1970 12,966 53 12,913
1969 13,566 50 13,516
1968 14,089 39 14,050
1967 15,394 54 15,340
1966 17,480 62 17,418
1965 19,300 61 19,239
1964 20,376 55 20,321
1963 21,640 51 21,589
1962 24,082 57 24,025
1961 24,449 56 24,393
1960 26,774 68 26,706
1959 30,251 65 30,186
1958 31,078 64 31,014
1957 39,416 76 39,340
1956 32,400 61 32,339
1955 27,226 48 27,178
1954 27,649 34 27,615
1953 25,171 31 25,140
1952 19,904 26 19,878
1951 16,320 25 16,295
1950 14,477 30 14,447
1949 12,921 20 12,901
1948 12,263 23 12,240
1947 10,556 26 10,530
1946 6,914 19 6,895
1945 3,139 12 3,127
1944 2,575 5 2,570
1943 2,903 9 2,894
1942 2,741 15 2,726
1941 2,301 5 2,296
1940 1,894 12 1,882
1939 1,489 0 1,489
1938 1,365 0 1,365
1937 1,188 7 1,181
1936 983 0 983
1935 999 9 990
1934 1,029 8 1,021
1933 777 5 772
1932 637 0 637
1931 632 0 632
1930 596 0 596
1929 487 0 487
1928 472 0 472
1927 432 0 432
1926 392 0 392
1925 340 0 340
1924 366 0 366
1923 310 0 310
1922 282 0 282
1921 295 0 295
1920 285 0 285
1919 264 0 264
1918 271 0 271
1917 240 0 240
1916 224 0 224
1915 216 0 216
1914 183 0 183
1913 165 0 165
1912 157 0 157
1911 105 0 105
1910 86 0 86
1909 76 0 76
1908 56 0 56
1907 80 0 80
1906 77 0 77
1905 63 0 63
1904 60 0 60
1903 65 0 65
1902 63 0 63
1901 67 0 67
1900 87 0 87
1899 71 0 71
1898 72 0 72
1897 80 0 80
1896 63 0 63
1895 58 0 58
1894 58 0 58
1893 73 0 73
1892 80 0 80
1891 67 0 67
1890 79 0 79
1889 76 0 76
1888 58 0 58
1887 55 0 55
1886 56 0 56
1885 59 0 59
1884 59 0 59
1883 66 0 66
1882 45 0 45
1881 47 0 47
1880 61 0 61

Top States for Cynthia (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 52
18%
TX 31
11%
FL 17
6%
NY 17
6%
IN 14
5%
IL 13
4%
OH 13
4%
PA 13
4%
NC 12
4%
WA 12
4%
MI 11
4%
WI 10
3%
AZ 10
3%
OK 8
3%
AL 8
3%
TN 7
2%
IA 7
2%
KY 7
2%
GA 6
2%
NJ 6
2%
OR 6
2%
MN 6
2%
MO 5
2%