A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Sybil since 1881
Babies named Sybil per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 87 |
| 1890s | 280 |
| 1900s | 640 |
| 1910s | 2,509 |
| 1920s | 4,437 |
| 1930s | 3,119 |
| 1940s | 2,709 |
| 1950s | 1,887 |
| 1960s | 1,396 |
| 1970s | 931 |
| 1980s | 471 |
| 1990s | 198 |
| 2000s | 150 |
| 2010s | 735 |
| 2020s | 811 |
Meaning & origin
Sybil reached its peak popularity in 1919, when it ranked among the top names of the era. After declining for decades, it began a steady resurgence in 2003, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names from the 1910s. The name has been recorded in every decade since 1881, though it never entered the top 500. Today, it is most common in Maryland, Utah, and Colorado. Sybil's appeal lies in its ancient, scholarly aura and its connection to the prophetic sibyls of classical myth, making it a distinctive choice for parents drawn to names with literary and historical depth.
From the Greek Σίβυλλα (Sibylla), a title for women who delivered prophetic oracles. In classical antiquity, sibyls were revered prophetesses at various temples, most famously the Cumaean Sibyl. The name was adopted into English via Latin, gaining popularity in the 19th century.
Where Sybil 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.
“Sybil” around the world
Where Sybil lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sib, Sibi, Sibby
Sibling names for Sybil
Names that share Sybil's style, for a brother or sister.
