Celie

♀ Girl

Pronounced SEE-lee /ˈsiː.li/Medium

Meaning: A pet form of Celia or Cecilia, from Latin roots meaning 'heavenly' (caelestis) or from the Roman family name Caecilius. It is widely known as the name of the heroine of Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A gentle form of Celia, from Latin for 'heavenly' — and the heroine of The Color Purple (said 'SEE-lee').

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Origin LowLatin, French

MeaningA pet form of Celia or Cecilia, from Latin roots meaning 'heavenly' (caelestis) or from the Roman family name Caecilius. It is widely known as the name of the heroine of Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13780 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1916

Total births (all-time)≈ 508

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

Celie is a pet form of Celia or Cecilia — names reaching back to the Latin caelestis, 'heavenly,' and to the Roman Caecilius. It is best known today from Alice Walker's The Color Purple, whose heroine bears it, and from the stage and screen versions since. Soft and literary (said 'SEE-lee').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely. Rare, tender, and literary.

Did you know? Celie is the name of the narrator of Alice Walker's The Color Purple, a character whose long climb into her own voice made the name quietly famous (said 'SEE-lee').

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Celie — Celia/Cecilia pet form; The Color Purple heroine

Variations

CeliaCeilieCecily

Nicknames

CeeLee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Celie…

Celia— the full name Celie softens

Cecilia— the classic name behind it

Cecily— a like gentle C- classic

Sadie— a like warm two-beat pick

Explore names like Celie

By themelatin soft nickname-name literary

By meaningSky / Heaven Snow / Winter

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Celie mean?

Celie is a form of Celia or Cecilia — from the Latin for 'heavenly,' or from the Roman name Caecilius.

How do you pronounce Celie?

It's said SEE-lee /ˈsiː.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Celie a boy or girl name?

Celie is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Celie?

Celie is very rare in the U.S.