MallowbyNames

Ercilia

er-SIL-ee-uh · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Ursula meaning 'little she-bear' or derived from a Spanish place name.

Peak popularity
1939
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Ercilia since 1919

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

4711192019602000Most births 1944Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1910s5
1920s33
1930s37
1940s40
1950s16
1960s16
1970s18
1980s0
1990s7
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Ercilia is a rare name in the United States, with its first recorded use in 1919. It peaked in popularity during 1939, and since then its usage has remained stable but low. The name has not appeared in the top rankings and is given to fewer than 1 in a million newborns in recent years. Its exact origin is debated, with connections to the Latin name Ursula or possibly the Spanish surname Ercilla. The name carries a vintage charm, reflecting the naming trends of the 1930s decade. Despite its scarcity, Ercilia offers a unique and melodic option with a distinctly Spanish heritage.

Ercilia is likely a variant of the Latin name Ursula, meaning 'little she-bear', or a feminine form of the Spanish surname Ercilla, associated with the Basque region. The name has been used in Spanish-speaking countries, though its exact derivation remains debated. Its peak of usage occurred in the United States during the 1930s, with the highest recorded year in 1939.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Erci, Cilia, Silly

Variants: Ursula, Orsola, Ersilia

Sibling names for Ercilia

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

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

E is for Ercilia, our favorite little girl.

E is for Ercilia…”

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

Make Ercilia's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ercilia mean?
The meaning of Ercilia is uncertain. It may be a variant of Ursula, meaning 'little she-bear', or derived from a Spanish place name.
How popular is the name Ercilia?
Ercilia has not ranked in the top 1000 names in recent years. Its peak was in 1939, when it was most commonly used.
Is Ercilia a boy or girl name?
Ercilia is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.