Cecil
Cecil is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Blind or belonging to the Caecilius family.
Origin and history
Cecil is derived from the Roman family name Caecilius, which stems from the Latin word caecus, meaning blind. Historically used predominantly as a masculine name, it also has a long history of rare feminine usage in the United States. While its popularity for females peaked in the early 20th century, it remains an uncommon choice today.
Popularity in the United States
7,687 babies in the United States have been named Cecil since 1880. It ranks #1907 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2096.
States where it is most popular
- TX (18.3 %)
- TN (10.5 %)
- KY (7.6 %)
- VA (7.1 %)
- GA (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 295 |
| 1890-1900 | 961 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,182 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,812 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,475 |
| 1930-1940 | 771 |
| 1940-1950 | 555 |
| 1950-1960 | 284 |
| 1960-1970 | 131 |
| 1970-1980 | 74 |
| 1980-1990 | 92 |
| 1990-2000 | 26 |
| 2000-2010 | 19 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Fun facts
- The name originates from the ancient Roman gens Caecilia, a prominent patrician family.
- In the early 20th century, Cecil was occasionally given to girls in the United States, though it is now extremely rare.