Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Cindi since 1942
Babies named Cindi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 139 |
| 1950s | 2,151 |
| 1960s | 2,805 |
| 1970s | 1,327 |
| 1980s | 653 |
| 1990s | 366 |
| 2000s | 210 |
| 2010s | 45 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Cindi is a mid-20th-century American respelling of Cindy, a name that enjoyed widespread popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. First recorded in 1942, the name reached its peak year in 1958, during the post-war baby boom when playful 'ie' and 'y' endings were in vogue. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting broader trends away from diminutive feminine names in favor of more varied styles. The variant spelling with an 'i' never cracked the top 1000 nationally, remaining a less common alternative to the standard Cindy. Its top states include none from the Social Security data, indicating sparse but widespread use across the country.
Cindi is a respelling of Cindy, which originated as a nickname for Cynthia, from Greek Kynthia, an epithet of the goddess Artemis referring to Mount Cynthus. It also serves as a short form of Lucinda, derived from Latin lux 'light'. The variant spelling with an 'i' gained popularity in mid-20th-century America, particularly during the 1950s.
Where Cindi 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
Sibling names for Cindi
Names that share Cindi's style, for a brother or sister.
