Cecily

Meaning & origin

Cecily is a vintage English name with Latin roots that has maintained a steady if modest presence in the U.S. since first appearing in Social Security records in 1911. It reached its peak rank in 1989, during a broader revival of old-fashioned names. In 2025, it ranked 1540, given to roughly 1 in every 11,732 newborn girls. The name has remained stable over the past decade, avoiding sharp rises or declines. Cecily has seen particular favor in states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Arizona, reflecting a preference for classic, literary-leaning names in those regions. As a variant of Cecilia, Cecily carries the same historical weight and saintly associations, but with a distinctly English, less ornate feel.

Cecily is the English vernacular form of the Latin name Caecilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, derived from caecus meaning 'blind'. The name was borne by the early Christian saint Cecilia, patroness of music, which helped spread its use throughout Europe. In England, Cecily appeared in the Middle Ages and was revived in the 19th century alongside other medieval names.