Cecily Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationSEH-sih-lee / /ˈsɛsɪli/Latin; Old French
Meaning
Latin: blind; Old French: sixth
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cecily has its roots in the Latin name Caecilia, which is derived from the Latin word 'caecus,' meaning 'blind.' The name was popularized in the early Christian era, particularly through Saint Cecilia, a Roman martyr and the patroness of musicians, who is believed to have lived in the 2nd or 3rd century. The name Caecilia was adopted into Old French as Cecile, which eventually evolved into the English form Cecily during the Middle Ages. The transition into English was facilitated by the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many Latin-derived names into the English lexicon.
Historically, the name Cecily has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Cecilia, whose feast day is celebrated on November 22. The name gained further prominence in medieval England, where it was associated with nobility and was used by various saints and members of the aristocracy. The name appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's works from the 14th century, indicating its presence in literary contexts during that time. Additionally, the name was included in the 1611 King James Bible, which helped to solidify its place in Christian tradition.
Cecily carries connotations of purity and virtue, largely due to its association with Saint Cecilia and her legacy in music and the arts. The name has been embraced in various cultural contexts, often symbolizing grace and devotion. Diminutive forms such as Cece or Cissy have also emerged, reflecting affectionate or familiar usages throughout history. Overall, Cecily embodies a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its etymological origins and the enduring legacy of its early bearers.
Trend Summary
Cecily has experienced a gradual increase in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Cecelia
- Cecilya
- Cecile
International Variants
- Cécile (French)
- Cecilia (Italian)
- Cecilie (Danish)
- Cecília (Hungarian)
Famous people named Cecily
Cecily Strong is an actress and comedian best known for Saturday Night Live, The Female Brain, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Cecily von Ziegesar is an author best known for the Gossip Girl series and the It Girl series.
Fictional characters named Cecily
Cecily Cardew is a fictional character from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. She is a young woman who becomes romantically involved with the protagonist, Algernon Moncrieff.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cecily was first seen in the United States in 1911. Cecily has ranked as high as #761 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Cecily has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Cecily (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
FL | 9 | |
CA | 8 | |
TX | 7 | |
NY | 7 | |
VA | 6 | |
IL | 6 | |
CO | 5 | |
WI | 5 | |
MA | 5 | |
NC | 5 | |
OH | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1911 | 5 |
1916 | 5 |
1917 | 10 |
1919 | 11 |
1920 | 11 |
1921 | 7 |
1922 | 13 |
1923 | 12 |
1924 | 14 |
1925 | 9 |
1926 | 13 |
1927 | 17 |
1928 | 11 |
1929 | 10 |
1930 | 14 |
1931 | 11 |
1932 | 14 |
1933 | 11 |
1934 | 17 |
1935 | 17 |
1936 | 25 |
1937 | 17 |
1938 | 20 |
1939 | 22 |
1940 | 12 |
1941 | 11 |
1942 | 41 |
1943 | 21 |
1944 | 26 |
1945 | 28 |
1946 | 35 |
1947 | 30 |
1948 | 36 |
1949 | 47 |
1950 | 42 |
1951 | 35 |
1952 | 52 |
1953 | 50 |
1954 | 51 |
1955 | 50 |
1956 | 43 |
1957 | 53 |
1958 | 41 |
1959 | 66 |
1960 | 47 |
1961 | 55 |
1962 | 36 |
1963 | 37 |
1964 | 38 |
1965 | 41 |
1966 | 44 |
1967 | 40 |
1968 | 32 |
1969 | 55 |
1970 | 61 |
1971 | 55 |
1972 | 55 |
1973 | 114 |
1974 | 130 |
1975 | 110 |
1976 | 81 |
1977 | 94 |
1978 | 96 |
1979 | 86 |
1980 | 73 |
1981 | 73 |
1982 | 57 |
1983 | 58 |
1984 | 58 |
1985 | 62 |
1986 | 49 |
1987 | 150 |
1988 | 236 |
1989 | 472 |
1990 | 403 |
1991 | 189 |
1992 | 134 |
1993 | 117 |
1994 | 117 |
1995 | 143 |
1996 | 132 |
1997 | 127 |
1998 | 112 |
1999 | 108 |
2000 | 96 |
2001 | 98 |
2002 | 87 |
2003 | 100 |
2004 | 88 |
2005 | 101 |
2006 | 119 |
2007 | 99 |
2008 | 112 |
2009 | 109 |
2010 | 98 |
2011 | 104 |
2012 | 114 |
2013 | 170 |
2014 | 244 |
2015 | 214 |
2016 | 196 |
2017 | 191 |
2018 | 141 |
2019 | 160 |
2020 | 131 |
2021 | 127 |
2022 | 131 |
2023 | 111 |
2024 | 131 |