Cecil

Pronunciation: [ s-EES-uhl ]

Boy Name #1,487 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A noble Roman name with aristocratic English prestige

English Welsh Roman

Vintage Classic Sophisticated Literary

Meaning & Origin

"blind"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

"from the Welsh Seisyll"

Origin: Welsh

Language: Welsh

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.

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

Famous People Named Cecil

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

Cecil B. DeMille

Artist

1881

Pioneering Hollywood director known for spectacular epics like The Ten Commandments and Cleopatra

Cecil Rhodes

Politician

1853

British mining magnate and politician who colonized southern Africa and founded Rhodesia

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

Pairs Well With

Cecil James Cecil William Cecil Edward Cecil Thomas Cecil Arthur Cecil Henry Cecil George

Sibling Names

Reginald Clarence Beatrice Millicent Florence Archibald

Also a Girl Name

Cecil is also used as a girl name, ranked #71501.

View Cecil as a girl name →

Similar Names

Hazel Perseus Kyrell

Playground Safety

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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.