Cy

♂ Boy

Pronounced SY /saɪ/High

Meaning: Lordly; sun; a short form of Cyrus (from Old Persian Kurush: sun, or throne) or Cyril (from Greek Kyrillos: lordly, from kyrios: lord, master)High

In 30 seconds: A crisp one-syllable short form of Cyrus (Persian: sun/throne) or Cyril (Greek: lordly). As a standalone name, Cy evokes the legendary pitcher Denton True 'Cy' Young, after whom baseball's greatest pitching award is named.

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Origin HighPersian, Greek

MeaningLordly; sun; a short form of Cyrus (from Old Persian Kurush: sun, or throne) or Cyril (from Greek Kyrillos: lordly, from kyrios: lord, master)

U.S. rank (2025)#2540 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births52 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,898

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

Cy is an English short form of Cyrus (from Old Persian Kurush: sun or throne — the name of the great Persian king Cyrus the Great) or Cyril (from Greek Kyrillos: lordly, from kyrios: lord). As a standalone name it was popularized by pitcher Cy Young.

Cy has been used as a standalone given name in the United States since the 19th century, associated with the baseball legend. Its 2024 ranking of #2339 reflects modest but consistent use.

Did you know? The Cy Young Award — baseball's highest honor for pitchers — is named after Denton True Young (1867–1955), nicknamed 'Cy' (short for 'Cyclone') for the devastating speed of his pitches. Young won 511 games, a record that will almost certainly never be broken.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Cy — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CyrusCyril

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Cy Young (1867–1955)
American baseball pitcher (born Denton True Young) who holds the all-time MLB record of 511 career wins; the annual best-pitcher award is named for him.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cy mean?

Cy means 'lordly' or 'sun,' as a short form of Cyrus (Persian: sun/throne) or Cyril (Greek: lordly).

How do you pronounce Cy?

It's said SY /saɪ/ — one syllable, rhyming with 'sky.'

Is Cy a boy or girl name?

Cy is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Cy?

Cy ranked #2339 for U.S. boys in 2024.