Hannah Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#56
Cecily
GirlEnglish, Latin· “from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind'”
- Meaning
- from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind'
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- SES-uh-lee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,541
- US babies 2025
- 137
- Best rank
- #498 (1989)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Cecily
Cecily is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind'”.
Medieval England turned Cecilia into Cecily, a name from the Roman family name Caecilius, traditionally linked to the Latin caecus, 'blind', though that link is not certain. Saint Cecilia, patron of music, made the name popular across Christian Europe. In England, Cecily Neville was the mother of two kings, Edward IV and Richard III, and Oscar Wilde gave the name to Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest. Cecily feels refined and vintage. Cece and Cissy are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Cecily first appears in US Social Security records in 1911. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 5 different years, starting in 1974. Its best national rank was #498 in 1989, the same year it reached its highest count of 472 babies. In 2025, 137 babies were named Cecily, and it ranked #1,541 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,928 in 1920, #1,414 in 1950, #1,585 in 1980, #1,801 in 2000, #2,031 in 2010, and #1,541 in 2025. Of the 8,673 US girls named Cecily since records began, 19% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 1,582 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kristyn, Alycia, Shantel, Isamar, and Elizabet.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cecily ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #879 | 10 |
| Illinois | #1040 | 8 |
| Arizona | #1076 | 5 |
| New York | #1099 | 13 |
| Ohio | #1168 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Cecily is usually pronounced SES-uh-lee, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-ly”.
Middle names for Cecily
A few middle names that flow with Cecily: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cecily
Similar names
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Lists that include Cecily
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cecily mean?
Cecily is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind'”.
What is the origin of the name Cecily?
Cecily has English and Latin roots. Medieval England turned Cecilia into Cecily, a name from the Roman family name Caecilius, traditionally linked to the Latin caecus, 'blind', though that link is not certain.
Is Cecily a popular name?
Not especially. Cecily ranked #1,541 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cecily a boy or girl name?
Cecily is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Cecily?
Cecily is usually pronounced SES-uh-lee. 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