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Cecily Girl

Popularity: #819 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
FL 9
13%
CA 8
12%
TX 7
10%
NY 7
10%
VA 6
9%
IL 6
9%
CO 5
7%
WI 5
7%
MA 5
7%
NC 5
7%
OH 5
7%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19115
19165
191710
191911
192011
19217
192213
192312
192414
19259
192613
192717
192811
192910
193014
193111
193214
193311
193417
193517
193625
193717
193820
193922
194012
194111
194241
194321
194426
194528
194635
194730
194836
194947
195042
195135
195252
195350
195451
195550
195643
195753
195841
195966
196047
196155
196236
196337
196438
196541
196644
196740
196832
196955
197061
197155
197255
1973114
1974130
1975110
197681
197794
197896
197986
198073
198173
198257
198358
198458
198562
198649
1987150
1988236
1989472
1990403
1991189
1992134
1993117
1994117
1995143
1996132
1997127
1998112
1999108
200096
200198
200287
2003100
200488
2005101
2006119
200799
2008112
2009109
201098
2011104
2012114
2013170
2014244
2015214
2016196
2017191
2018141
2019160
2020131
2021127
2022131
2023111
2024131