Cecilia
Cecilia is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Blind, or associated with the ancient Roman Caecilia gens.
Origin and history
Cecilia is a classic feminine name derived from the Roman clan name Caecilius, rooted in the Latin word for blind. Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, helped give the name widespread historical and cultural prominence. It has maintained steady popularity in the United States, experiencing a modern resurgence.
Popularity in the United States
111,511 babies in the United States have been named Cecilia since 1880. It ranks #346 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #135.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.9 %)
- TX (12.4 %)
- NY (7.2 %)
- PA (5.2 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 630 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,504 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,318 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,705 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,907 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,028 |
| 1940-1950 | 8,006 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,983 |
| 1960-1970 | 7,852 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,569 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,988 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,114 |
| 2000-2010 | 11,984 |
| 2010-2019 | 16,150 |
| 2020-2029 | 12,773 |
Famous people named Cecilia
- Cecilia Bartoli: Opera Singer, Mezzo-Soprano
- Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin: Astronomer, Astrophysicist
Nicknames
Cece, Ceil, Celia, Cissy
Fun facts
- Saint Cecilia is famously recognized as the patron saint of musicians, inspiring countless musical compositions throughout history.
- The name appears in major pop culture works, including Simon & Garfunkel's 1970 hit song 'Cecilia'.