"blind"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Cecil
Pronunciation: [ s-EES-uhl ]
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A noble Roman name with aristocratic English prestige
English
Welsh
Roman
Vintage
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"from the Welsh Seisyll"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
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The Story of Cecil
Cecil derives from the Roman family name Caecilius, itself from the Latin caecus meaning blind. The name was used by a prominent Roman patrician family and later spread through the early Christian saint Caecilius of Carthage. In Wales, it developed as an anglicization of the Welsh name Seisyll. The name gained English aristocratic prestige through the Cecil family, who produced leading statesmen including William Cecil, chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.
Cecil reached peak popularity in the early 20th century, ranking among the top 100 names in England and the US before 1940. Its decline coincided with the broader retreat from Victorian and Edwardian names mid-century, though it retains dusty-chic appeal for parents seeking ultra-vintage choices.
The Cecil family were among the most powerful dynasties of Elizabethan England, making Cecil synonymous with statecraft and power. In contemporary culture, Cecil the lion, killed by a trophy hunter in Zimbabwe in 2015, gave the name unexpected global recognition.
Historical Record
Cecil first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 30,910 babies have been named Cecil in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cecil is past its peak , currently ranked #1,487 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Cecil Rhodes gave his name to what is now Zimbabwe and Zambia
- Cecil B. DeMille directed Hollywood epics including The Ten Commandments
- The feminine form Cecilia is the patron saint of music in the Catholic tradition
Cecil in Other Languages
Welsh
Seisyll
French
Cecil
Italian
Cecilio
Spanish
Cecilio
Portuguese
Cecilio
Popularity Over Time
#1,487
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cecil
C
Cecil Day-Lewis
Writer
1904
Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis; also wrote detective fiction as Nicholas Blake
C
Cecil B. DeMille
Artist
1881
Pioneering Hollywood director known for spectacular epics like The Ten Commandments and Cleopatra
C
Cecil Rhodes
Politician
1853
British mining magnate and politician who colonized southern Africa and founded Rhodesia
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,487
- Total SSA Count
- 122
- Cultural Origins
- English Welsh Roman
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Cec
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cecil
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cecil is also used as a girl name, ranked #71501.
View Cecil as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cecil
What does the name Cecil mean?
"blind" (from Latin). "from the Welsh Seisyll" (from Welsh). Cecil derives from the Roman family name Caecilius, itself from the Latin caecus meaning blind. The name was used by a prominent Roman patrician family and later spread through the early Christian saint Caecilius of Carthage. In Wales, it developed as an anglicization of the Welsh name Seisyll. The name gained English aristocratic prestige through the Cecil family, who produced leading statesmen including William Cecil, chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.
What is the origin of the name Cecil?
Cecil has Latin, Welsh, English, and Roman origins. In Latin, it means "blind". In Welsh, it means "from the Welsh Seisyll".
Is Cecil a boy or girl name?
Cecil is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1487. As a girl name, it is ranked #71501. Cecil is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cecil?
Cecil is pronounced s-EES-uhl.
How popular is the name Cecil?
Cecil is currently ranked #1487 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cecil?
Common nicknames for Cecil include Cec.
What are good middle names for Cecil?
Popular middle name pairings include Cecil James, Cecil William, Cecil Edward, Cecil Thomas, Cecil Arthur, Cecil Henry, and Cecil George.
What are good sibling names for Cecil?
Names that pair well with Cecil as siblings include Reginald, Clarence, Beatrice, Millicent, Florence, and Archibald.
How many syllables does Cecil have?
Cecil has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cecil a common or rare name?
Cecil is an uncommon name, ranked #1487 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cecil
Cecil is a boy name with English, Welsh, and Roman origins . The name means "blind" in Latin .
Is Cecil a boy or girl name? Cecil is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,487 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,501. Cecil is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cecil is currently ranked #1,487 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cecil has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-EES-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cecil include Cec. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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