Declining since 2001.
Popularity of Ceceilia since 1939
Babies named Ceceilia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 41 |
| 1950s | 62 |
| 1960s | 36 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 71 |
| 2010s | 33 |
| 2020s | 20 |
Meaning & origin
Ceceilia is a rare spelling variant of the classic Cecilia, first recorded in the U.S. in 1939. Its popularity peaked in 1956, but even then it was given to fewer than 5 girls per year, reflecting its extreme rarity. Since 2001, the name has been on a downward trajectory, with fewer than 5 annual births in recent years. Like many respelled forms, it maintains the Latin origin and the legacy of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music. Despite its obscurity, Ceceilia offers a distinctive alternative for parents drawn to the Cecilia family.
Ceceilia is a variant spelling of Cecilia, which derives from the Latin name Caecilia, a feminine form of Caecilius. The root 'caecus' means 'blind', a meaning traditionally associated with the saint Cecilia's ability to see angels. The name has been in use since early Christian times, with Saint Cecilia as the patron saint of music. The spelling Ceceilia, with an extra 'e', likely emerged as a respelling in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cece, Celia, Cici, Lia
Sibling names for Ceceilia
Names that share Ceceilia's style, for a brother or sister.
