Cicely Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Cicely is a name of Latin origin, derived from 'Caecilia', meaning 'blind'. It evolved through historical forms from Latin to Middle English. The name is associated with Saint Cecilia, which gives it a musical and noble connotation. While it does not have biblical relevance, it has a rich historical background and a classic image in modern times.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Cicely"
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪsəli/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Cicely is derived from the Latin name 'Caecilia', which is the feminine form of 'Caecilius', meaning 'blind'. The name is also associated with Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.
Meaning
blind
Language Evolution
Caecilia (Latin), Cecilia (Latin), Cicely (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Cicely gained popularity in medieval England, particularly in the 12th century, largely due to the veneration of Saint Cecilia. It has remained in use throughout the centuries, though its popularity has fluctuated.
Variants & Derivatives
Cecilia, Ceilidh, Celia, Cecily
Modern Popularity & Image
Cicely is seen as a classic and somewhat vintage name today, often associated with elegance and musicality due to its connection to Saint Cecilia. It is less common than many contemporary names but retains a charming appeal.
Famous People
Cicely Tyson, an acclaimed American actress, Cicely Saunders, a pioneer in the field of hospice care
📊 Cicely Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Cicely Name Visualizations
✨ Cicely Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 256 peak births in 1974
Geographic Spread
Popular across 24 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Cicely"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Cicely"
"Cicely" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5533rd of 9107 | 39 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5850th of 9204 | 34 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 8881st of 12526 | 23 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1418th of 19264 | 1,191 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2786th of 27321 | 632 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6026th of 35406 | 323 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9144th of 30306 | 136 |
Regional Popularity of "Cicely" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Cicely" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
41.30% 1213th/2937 |
46.77% 1629th/3483 |
30.07% 1058th/3518 |
37.34% 1510th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
79.76% 2939th/3685 |
- |
45.48% 2362nd/5194 |
51.75% 3269th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
81.68% 6096th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Cicely"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Cicely" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Cicely" in the United States
The name Cicely is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Cicely has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Cicely' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5533rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5850th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 8881st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1418th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2786th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6026th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9144th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Cicely' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.