Declining since 1990, #5,554 for girls today.
Popularity of Cecile since 1880
Babies named Cecile per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cecile's real moment was 1902.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 389 |
| 1890s | 1,123 |
| 1900s | 1,642 |
| 1910s | 3,613 |
| 1920s | 4,067 |
| 1930s | 2,825 |
| 1940s | 2,396 |
| 1950s | 1,810 |
| 1960s | 895 |
| 1970s | 335 |
| 1980s | 402 |
| 1990s | 295 |
| 2000s | 262 |
| 2010s | 237 |
| 2020s | 130 |
Meaning & origin
Cecile has seen a long decline in usage since its peak in 1902, when it ranked in the top 500. By 2025, the name ranked 5,554, with only about 1 in 73,058 births receiving the name. First recorded in 1880, Cecile had a revival in the early 1900s but has since fallen out of common use, particularly after 1990. While never strongly associated with any particular US state, Cecile carries a delicate French flair that appeals to parents seeking a classic yet underused alternative to Cecilia or Celeste.
Cecile is the French form of Cecilia, derived from the Latin Caecilia, feminine of the Roman family name Caecilius, which is related to 'caecus' meaning blind. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 17th century, often associated with Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music.
Where Cecile 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.
“Cecile” around the world
Where Cecile lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cece, Cici, Celia, Cis
Sibling names for Cecile
Names that share Cecile's style, for a brother or sister.
