A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Cecelia since 1880
Babies named Cecelia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cecelia's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 852 |
| 1890s | 1,784 |
| 1900s | 2,793 |
| 1910s | 6,905 |
| 1920s | 7,169 |
| 1930s | 4,592 |
| 1940s | 7,363 |
| 1950s | 6,898 |
| 1960s | 3,857 |
| 1970s | 1,837 |
| 1980s | 1,825 |
| 1990s | 2,446 |
| 2000s | 3,654 |
| 2010s | 5,170 |
| 2020s | 3,374 |
Meaning & origin
Cecelia has been in use in the United States since at least 1880, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its peak year was 1901, when it ranked highest in popularity. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 1985, reflecting a revival of vintage names. Cecelia is particularly popular in states like Rhode Island, North Dakota, and Montana. With a rank of 529 in 2025 and a rate of about 1 in 2,825 births, it remains a moderate but steadily growing choice.
Cecelia is a variant of Cecilia, derived from the Latin 'Caecilia', the feminine form of 'Caecilius', a Roman family name meaning 'blind' from 'caecus'. The name was borne by a legendary 2nd-century Christian martyr, Saint Cecilia, who became the patron saint of music. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, with the spelling Cecelia emerging as a common alternative.
Where Cecelia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cece, Celia, Cissy, Lea
Sibling names for Cecelia
Names that share Cecelia's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Cecelia
Names whose popularity has moved with Cecelia's over the last 50 years.
