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Cecily

♀ Girl

Pronounced SES-uh-lee /ˈsɛs.ə.li/Medium

Meaning: English form of Cecilia, from the Roman family name Caecilius, from Latin 'caecus' (blind).Medium

In 30 seconds: Cecily is the English form of Cecilia, going back to the Roman family name Caecilius and the Latin 'caecus', meaning 'blind'.

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Origin MediumLatin, English

MeaningEnglish form of Cecilia, from the Roman family name Caecilius, from Latin 'caecus' (blind).

U.S. rank (2025)#1541 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births137 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,672

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name descends from the old Roman clan name Caecilius, itself rooted in the Latin word 'caecus' for blind. Cecilia became the saint's name and the standard form, with Cecily emerging as its English shape. It has a long history in English use, kept alive alongside fuller spellings like Cecilia.

Cecily has a light, three-syllable lilt that the heavier Cecilia lacks, and the medieval form Cicely shows how the name has bent over the centuries. The meteorologist Cecily Tynan carries the name in American television.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Cecily is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Cecily — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

CeceliaCeciliaCicelyCaeciliaCecília

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Cecily Tynan (1969-present)
American television meteorologist long associated with WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.

If you like Cecily…

Cecilia— The fuller Latin form that Cecily renders in English.

Cecelia— A common spelling of the same name sharing the Caecilius root.

Beverly— lands in the same popularity range

Heavenly— a similarly popular pick

Italy— shares the -ly ending

Explore names like Cecily

By themeenglish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cecily mean?

Cecily is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Cecily?

It's commonly said SES-uh-lee /ˈsɛs.ə.li/.

Is Cecily a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Cecily is used as a girl name.

How popular is Cecily?

In 2024, Cecily ranked #1595 in the U.S. for girls, with 131 births recorded.