Cybil

♀ Girl

Pronounced SIB-il /ˈsɪb.ɪl/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of Sibyl, from the Greek sibylla — a prophetess of the ancient world, such as the Sibyl of Cumae. Medieval Christians read the sibyls as pagan seers who had glimpsed the truth, which kept the name alive.Medium

In 30 seconds: A spelling of Sibyl: in Greek, a prophetess who spoke the oracles (said 'SIB-il').

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningA spelling of Sibyl, from the Greek sibylla — a prophetess of the ancient world, such as the Sibyl of Cumae. Medieval Christians read the sibyls as pagan seers who had glimpsed the truth, which kept the name alive.

U.S. rank (2024)#13812 ↘ Falling

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

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 593

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

Cybil is a spelling of Sibyl, from the Greek sibylla, a prophetess. The sibyls spoke the oracles of the classical world, and medieval Christendom kept their memory as seers who had glimpsed the coming truth — which is how the name survived into English use. Actress Cybill Shepherd carries a near spelling. Mysterious and old (said 'SIB-il').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely. Rare, oracular, and antique.

Did you know? The sibyls were the prophetesses of the ancient world — the Sibyl of Cumae guided Aeneas to the underworld, and Michelangelo painted five of them on the Sistine ceiling (said 'SIB-il').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Cybil — Sibyl variant; Greek sibylla, 'prophetess'

Variations

SibylSybilCybill

Nicknames

CyBillie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cybil…

Sybil— the standard spelling of the same name

Sibyl— the classical spelling

Cecily— a like antique S- sound classic

Delphine— a like oracle-adjacent name (Delphi)

Explore names like Cybil

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cybil mean?

Cybil is a spelling of Sibyl, from the Greek sibylla — a prophetess of the ancient world.

How do you pronounce Cybil?

It's said SIB-il /ˈsɪb.ɪl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cybil a boy or girl name?

Cybil is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Cybil?

Cybil is very rare in the U.S.