Cissy

♀ Girl

Pronounced SIS-ee /ˈsɪsi/Medium

Meaning: Cissy is a pet form, most often of Cecilia, from the Latin 'caecus', 'blind', or of Frances and Cecily. It also grew from 'sissy', an affectionate term for a little sister. As a given name it carries the meaning of whichever formal name stands behind it, usually Cecilia.Low

In 30 seconds: Cissy is a pet form of Cecilia or Frances, or a fond word for a sister, a rare mid-century girl's name said SIS-ee.

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Origin LowLatin, English

MeaningCissy is a pet form, most often of Cecilia, from the Latin 'caecus', 'blind', or of Frances and Cecily. It also grew from 'sissy', an affectionate term for a little sister. As a given name it carries the meaning of whichever formal name stands behind it, usually Cecilia.

U.S. rank (1997)#12407 ↗ Rising

1997 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1971

Total births (all-time)≈ 430

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

Cissy began as a nickname, most often for Cecilia, from a Latin root meaning 'blind', and sometimes for Frances or as a fond word for 'sister'. Recorded now and then as a given name, it belongs to the mid-century taste for cosy, informal names.

It was never common, drawing only a couple dozen girls a year at its high around 1971 before fading. The name is carried today in memory by the gospel singer Cissy Houston; on its own it reads as an affectionate short form rather than a formal choice.

Did you know? Gospel singer Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston, is among the best-known bearers of this warm pet name.

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Cissy — pet form of Cecilia/Frances; bearer Cissy Houston

Variations

CecilyCissieSissy

Nicknames

Ciss

Famous Bearers

★Cissy Houston (1933-2024)
American gospel and soul singer, mother of Whitney Houston

If you like Cissy…

Cecilia— the usual parent name behind it

Cecily— a like short form of the same root

Missy— a similar affectionate -y pet name

Betsy— echoes that soft -sy sound

Rosy— echoes that soft -sy sound

Explore names like Cissy

By themeenglish vintage latin pet-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cissy mean?

It is a pet form of Cecilia or Frances, and also an affectionate term for a sister.

How do you pronounce Cissy?

It's said SIS-ee /ˈsɪsi/, two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cissy a boy or girl name?

Cissy is used as a girl's name.

Is Cissy a popular name?

No, it has always been rare as a formal name, an affectionate pet form used lightly in the mid-twentieth century.