MallowbyNames

Cybil

SIB-ul · A variant of Sibyl, meaning 'prophetess' or 'oracle'.

Peak popularity
1975
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 1987

Declining since 1987.

Popularity of Cybil since 1970

Babies named Cybil per year in U.S. Social Security records.

163248198020002020Most births 1975Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s268
1980s89
1990s79
2000s47
2010s66
2020s44

Meaning & origin

Cybil is a variant spelling of Sibyl, a name rooted in the Greek title for female prophets of classical antiquity. First recorded in the U.S. in 1970, it saw modest use during the 1970s, reaching its peak year of popularity in 1975. However, its usage has been steadily declining since 1987, and it has not appeared in the national rankings in recent decades. The name has never been concentrated in any particular state, reflecting its relatively rare and scattered use. As a distinctive variant of a historically rich name, Cybil offers a connection to ancient oracular traditions while maintaining a modern, accessible feel.

Cybil is a spelling variant of Sibyl, which derives from the Greek 'Sibylla', a title for a female prophet or oracle in ancient times. The name entered English via Latin and was used in medieval times, often associated with the classical Sibyls of antiquity. The specific Cybil spelling gained some use in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Cy, Sib, Billie

Variants: Sibyl, Sybil, Sibilla

Sibling names for Cybil

Names that share Cybil's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Cybil, our favorite little girl.

C is for Cybil…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Cybil's letter becomes Cybil's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Cybil's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Cybil mean?
Cybil is a variant of Sibyl, meaning 'prophetess' or 'oracle', from the Greek title for female seers in classical antiquity.
How popular is Cybil right now?
Cybil has not ranked in the U.S. Top 1000 since 1970. Its peak usage was in 1975, and it has been declining in use since 1987.
Is Cybil a boy or girl name?
Cybil is traditionally a girl's name.