Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cy
BoyEnglish· “short form of Cyrus or Cyril”
- Meaning
- short form of Cyrus or Cyril
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- SY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,540
- US babies 2025
- 52
- Best rank
- #1,037 (1902)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Cy
Cy is an English name that is usually said to mean “short form of Cyrus or Cyril”.
Cy is a short form of names like Cyrus and Cyril. Cyrus, from Old Persian Kurush, was the name of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, and its meaning is uncertain. Cyril comes from the Greek Kyrillos, from kyrios, "lord." Cy was used as a nickname in the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the baseball pitcher Cy Young gave it lasting fame, although his nickname came from "cyclone." It is pronounced SY. Short and nostalgic, it fits with other vintage nicknames like Gus and Hal.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sai, Sy.
Famous parents who chose Cy: Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney (2022). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Cy first appears in US Social Security records in 1902. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,037 in 1902, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 117 were named Cy. In 2025, 52 babies were named Cy, and it ranked #2,540 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,445 in 1920, #1,710 in 1950, #1,576 in 1980, #1,504 in 2000, #1,416 in 2010, and #2,540 in 2025. Of the 3,898 US boys named Cy since records began, 23% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 803 babies. Since 2010, 1,158 more have been named Cy.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Treyson, Jayshawn, Jeancarlos, Jaysen, and Shaan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cy ranked highest in New York, Texas, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1004 | 12 |
| Texas | #2335 | 6 |
| California | #2544 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Cy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Cy is usually pronounced SY, with one syllable. It has two letters, starts with C and ends in “-cy”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sai and Sy.
Middle names for Cy
A few middle names that flow with Cy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cy
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Lists that include Cy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cy mean?
Cy is an English name that is usually said to mean “short form of Cyrus or Cyril”.
What is the origin of the name Cy?
Cy has English roots. Cy is a short form of names like Cyrus and Cyril.
Is Cy a popular name?
Not especially. Cy ranked #2,540 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cy a boy or girl name?
Cy is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Cy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Cy?
Cy is usually pronounced SY. 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