Cecilia
Cecilia: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /sɪˈsiːli.ə/ · /sɪˈsɪli.ə/
Meaning and origin of Cecilia
Root meaning: “blind”
- A female given name from Latin.
Etymology
From Latin Caecilia, feminine form of Caecilius, a Roman family name possibly derived from the byname caecus (“blind”). Popularized by Saint Cecilia, third century Roman martyr, the patron saint of music. Doublet of Sheila.
How popular is Cecilia?
Since 1880, 111,511 girls and 177 boys in the U.S. have been named Cecilia (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #108 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #3500 in 1944. In 2025 it ranked #108 for girls, with 2,506 babies given the name.
Names similar to Cecilia
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin girl names
Sibling name ideas for Cecilia
Sister and brother names that share Cecilia's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Cecilia FAQ
What does the name Cecilia mean?
Cecilia traces back to a root meaning "blind". A female given name from Latin. From Latin Caecilia, feminine form of Caecilius, a Roman family name possibly derived from the byname caecus (“blind”). Popularized by Saint Cecilia, third century Roman martyr, the patron saint of music. Doublet of Sheila.
What is the origin of the name Cecilia?
Cecilia is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Cecilia?
Since 1880, 111,511 girls and 177 boys in the U.S. have been named Cecilia (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #108 in 2025. Its highest rank for boys was #3500 in 1944. In 2025 it ranked #108 for girls, with 2,506 babies given the name.
Is Cecilia a boy or girl name?
Cecilia is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 111,511 girls and 177 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.