Cecil
Cecil: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsiːsəl/ · /ˈsɛsəl/
Meaning and origin of Cecil
Root meaning: “blind”
- A unisex given name from Latin.
- A male given name from Latin.
- A female given name from Latin.
Etymology
From Latin Caecilius, a Roman family name derived from caecus (“blind”). The surname has absorbed the Old Welsh Seisyllt, from Latin Sextilius, from Sextus.
How popular is Cecil?
Since 1880, 7,687 girls and 106,989 boys in the U.S. have been named Cecil (7% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #240 in 1897. Its highest rank for boys was #65 in 1902. In 2025, 119 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Cecil
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Cecil
Sister and brother names that share Cecil's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Cecil FAQ
What does the name Cecil mean?
Cecil traces back to a root meaning "blind". A unisex given name from Latin. A male given name from Latin. A female given name from Latin. From Latin Caecilius, a Roman family name derived from caecus (“blind”). The surname has absorbed the Old Welsh Seisyllt, from Latin Sextilius, from Sextus.
What is the origin of the name Cecil?
Cecil is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Cecil?
Since 1880, 7,687 girls and 106,989 boys in the U.S. have been named Cecil (7% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #240 in 1897. Its highest rank for boys was #65 in 1902. In 2025, 119 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Cecil a boy or girl name?
Cecil is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 7,687 girls and 106,989 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.