Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cecil
BoyLatin, Welsh· “blind”
- Meaning
- blind
- Origin
- Latin, Welsh
- Pronunciation
- SEE-suhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,486
- US babies 2025
- 119
- Best rank
- #65 (1902)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Cecil
Cecil is a Latin and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “blind”.
Cecil comes from the Latin Caecilius, a Roman family name linked to caecus, meaning blind. In Britain it also developed from the Welsh name Seisyllt, which was anglicized as Cecil. The Cecil family, including William Cecil, chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I, made the surname prominent in English history. As a first name, Cecil became popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The film director Cecil B. DeMille is a famous bearer. Cecil now has a distinguished, vintage feel, well suited to a gentle revival.
Popularity over time
Cecil has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 118 different years. Its best national rank was #65 in 1902, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 2,459 were named Cecil. In 2025, 119 babies were named Cecil, and it ranked #1,486 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #77 in 1920, #171 in 1950, #401 in 1980, #1,083 in 2000, #1,853 in 2010, and #1,486 in 2025. Of the 106,989 US boys named Cecil since records began, 21% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 16,482 babies. Since 2010, 1,694 more have been named Cecil.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Milton, Harvey, Lewis, Claude, and Clyde.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cecil ranked highest in Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | #568 | 5 |
| Missouri | #730 | 7 |
| Tennessee | #794 | 8 |
| Washington | #822 | 7 |
| Indiana | #968 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Cecil is usually pronounced SEE-suhl, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-il”.
Middle names for Cecil
A few middle names that flow with Cecil: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cecil
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Lists that include Cecil
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cecil mean?
Cecil is a Latin and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “blind”.
What is the origin of the name Cecil?
Cecil has Latin, Welsh, and English roots. Cecil comes from the Latin Caecilius, a Roman family name linked to caecus, meaning blind.
Is Cecil a popular name?
Not especially. Cecil ranked #1,486 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cecil a boy or girl name?
Cecil is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Cecil?
Cecil is usually pronounced SEE-suhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings