"of the Caecilian family (Roman gens)"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Cecilia
Pronunciation: [ s-ihs-EELY-uh ]
Does Cecilia flow with your last name?
Patron of music, crowned by centuries of melody
English
Italian
Spanish
French
Scandinavian
Elegant
Vintage
Literary
Sophisticated
Classic
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Cecilia
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"patron of musicians, derived from Latin caecus meaning blind"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
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The Story of Cecilia
Cecilia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, derived from the Latin word 'caecus' meaning blind. Despite this literal meaning, the name gained extraordinary prestige through Saint Cecilia of Rome, a 2nd or 3rd century Christian martyr who became the patron saint of music, musicians, and composers. Her name was so beloved that its associations of piety and musical gifts entirely eclipsed its literal etymology.
Cecilia has been experiencing a notable renaissance in the 2010s and 2020s, climbing steadily as parents seek romantic, multi-syllabic names with beautiful nicknames. Simon & Garfunkel's beloved 1970 song 'Cecilia' keeps the name melodic and joyful in popular consciousness, while the nickname Cece has become fashionable on its own.
As patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia is one of the most venerated saints in Catholic tradition. The Royal College of Music in London is named after her. Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten, and Handel all wrote 'Odes for Saint Cecilia's Day' — giving the name centuries of association with musical excellence.
Historical Record
Cecilia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 78,894 babies have been named Cecilia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cecilia is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #123 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music — every major music school and conservatory in the world recognizes her
- Simon & Garfunkel's 'Cecilia' (1970) has been covered by hundreds of artists worldwide
- The Cecilian movement of the 19th century was a major effort to reform church music, named in her honor
Cecilia in Other Languages
Latin
Caecilia
French
Cécile
German
Cäcilia
Polish
Cecylia
Italian
Cecilia
Spanish
Cecilia
Swedish
Cecilia
Portuguese
Cecília
Popularity Over Time
#123
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cecilia
C
Cecilia Cheung
Actor
1980
Hong Kong actress and singer known for her roles in Cantonese action and romantic films
C
Cecilia Bartoli
Musician
1966
Italian mezzo-soprano opera singer regarded as one of the foremost singers of her generation
S
Saint Cecilia
Religious
200
2nd-3rd century Roman Christian martyr and patron saint of music, venerated across Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican trad...
2nd-3rd century Roman Christian martyr and patron saint of music, venerated across Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions
C
Cecilia (Simon & Garfunkel song)
Musician
Subject of Simon & Garfunkel's joyful 1970 hit 'Cecilia', which reached #4 on the US charts
C
Cecilia Tallis Fictional
Other
Central character in Ian McEwan's novel Atonement (2001), brought to life by Keira Knightley in the 2007 film
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Compare Cecilia with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #123
- Total SSA Count
- 2,238
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian Spanish French Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Cece
Celia
Ceci
Cici
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cecilia
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Cecilia is also used as a boy name, ranked #31508.
View Cecilia as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Germanic origin
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Biblical Hebrew origin
"he to whom it belongs (messianic)"
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Girl
Old Norse origin
"hero, heroine (variant of Hayley)"
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Old Irish origin
"chief leader"
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Old French origin
"bright red, scarlet color"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cecilia
What does the name Cecilia mean?
"of the Caecilian family (Roman gens)" (from Latin). "patron of musicians, derived from Latin caecus meaning blind" (from Latin). Cecilia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, derived from the Latin word 'caecus' meaning blind. Despite this literal meaning, the name gained extraordinary prestige through Saint Cecilia of Rome, a 2nd or 3rd century Christian martyr who became the patron saint of music, musicians, and composers. Her name was so beloved that its associations of piety and musical gifts entirely eclipsed its literal etymology.
What is the origin of the name Cecilia?
Cecilia has Latin, English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Scandinavian origins. In Latin, it means "of the Caecilian family (Roman gens)". In Latin, it means "patron of musicians, derived from Latin caecus meaning blind".
Is Cecilia a boy or girl name?
Cecilia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #123. As a boy name, it is ranked #31508. Cecilia is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cecilia?
Cecilia is pronounced s-ihs-EELY-uh.
How popular is the name Cecilia?
Cecilia is currently ranked #123 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cecilia?
Common nicknames for Cecilia include Cece, Celia, Ceci, and Cici.
What are good middle names for Cecilia?
Popular middle name pairings include Cecilia Rose, Cecilia Jane, Cecilia Grace, Cecilia Louise, Cecilia Marie, Cecilia Faith, and Cecilia Ann.
What are good sibling names for Cecilia?
Names that pair well with Cecilia as siblings include Sebastian, Raphael, Sylvia, Augustine, Vivienne, Julian, and Isadora.
How many syllables does Cecilia have?
Cecilia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Cecilia a common or rare name?
Cecilia is a popular name, ranked #123 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Cecilia?
Are there other spellings for Cecilia?
Related spellings include Cecily.
About the Name Cecilia
Cecilia is a girl name with English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "of the Caecilian family (Roman gens)" in Latin .
Is Cecilia a boy or girl name? Cecilia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #123 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,508. Cecilia is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cecilia is currently ranked #123 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cecilia has 4 syllables and is pronounced s-ihs-EELY-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Cecilia include Cece, Celia, Ceci, and Cici. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cecilia include Cecily . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis