Sybil
Sybil is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Prophetess or oracle.
Origin and history
Sybil is a classic name of Greek origin derived from the ancient sibyls, who were female oracles and prophetesses. It gained popularity in medieval Europe and remained a recognizable, timeless choice through the twentieth century. Today in the United States, it maintains a steady, moderate usage as a distinctive vintage option.
Popularity in the United States
20,360 babies in the United States have been named Sybil since 1880. It ranks #1050 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1328.
States where it is most popular
- TX (12 %)
- NC (8.9 %)
- GA (8.5 %)
- LA (8.3 %)
- AL (7.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 87 |
| 1890-1900 | 280 |
| 1900-1910 | 640 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,509 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,437 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,119 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,709 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,887 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,396 |
| 1970-1980 | 931 |
| 1980-1990 | 471 |
| 1990-2000 | 198 |
| 2000-2010 | 150 |
| 2010-2019 | 735 |
| 2020-2029 | 811 |
Famous people named Sybil
- Sybil Thorndike: Actress
- Sybil Danning: Actress, Producer
- Sybil Jason: Actress
Nicknames
Sybbie, Sibby, Billie
Fun facts
- The term sibyl originally referred to women in ancient Greece who delivered prophetic messages from deities like Apollo.
- The name reached newfound familiarity in modern British pop culture through Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey.