Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Sibyl
GirlGreek, Latin· “prophetess”
- Meaning
- prophetess
- Origin
- Greek, Latin
- Pronunciation
- SIH-buhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,537
- US babies 2025
- 23
- Best rank
- #376 (1919)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Sibyl
Sibyl is a Greek and Latin name that means “prophetess”.
Sibyl comes from the Greek sibylla, a prophetess. In the ancient world the Sibyls were women believed to speak oracles, such as the Sibyl of Cumae, who guides Aeneas in Virgil's Aeneid. The name was used in medieval England as Sibil, and the Victorians revived it. Sibyl Vane is the young actress in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Benjamin Disraeli wrote a novel titled Sybil. It is said SIH-buhl. Sibyl has a mysterious, literary quality. Sybil is the more common spelling, and Sib is a possible nickname.
Popularity over time
Sibyl 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 42 different years. Its best national rank was #376 in 1919, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 299 were named Sibyl. In 2025, 23 babies were named Sibyl, and it ranked #5,537 nationally. That is 92% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #509 in 1920, #1,549 in 1950, #4,709 in 1980, and #5,537 in 2025. Of the 4,464 US girls named Sibyl since records began, 26% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 1,000 babies. Since 2010, 192 more have been named Sibyl.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Zella, Alvina, Dessie, Roxie, and Maurine.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Sibyl is usually pronounced SIH-buhl, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-yl”.
Middle names for Sibyl
A few middle names that flow with Sibyl: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sibyl
Similar names
Helen Girl
HEH-luhn
“uncertain; often linked to 'torch' or 'light'” · Greek
#462
Sybil Girl
SIH-buhl
“prophetess” · Greek
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Chloe Girl
KLOH-ee
“young green shoot” · Greek
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Cora Girl
KAW-ruh
“maiden” · Greek
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Helena Girl
HEH-luh-nuh
“uncertain; possibly torch or light” · Greek
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Maia Girl
MY-uh
“mother, nurse” · Greek
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Aura Girl
OR-uh
“breeze” · Greek
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Eva Girl
EE-vuh
“life” · Latin
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Beryl Girl
BEH-ruhl
“a pale green gemstone” · English
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Irene Girl
eye-REEN
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Celia Girl
SEEL-yuh
“possibly heavenly” · Latin
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Agnes Girl
AG-nihs
“chaste, holy” · Greek
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Lists that include Sibyl
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sibyl mean?
Sibyl is a Greek and Latin name that means “prophetess”.
What is the origin of the name Sibyl?
Sibyl has Greek and Latin roots. Sibyl comes from the Greek sibylla, a prophetess.
Is Sibyl a popular name?
Not especially. Sibyl ranked #5,537 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sibyl a boy or girl name?
Sibyl is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Sibyl?
Sibyl is usually pronounced SIH-buhl. 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