"moon goddess"
Cindy
Pronunciation: [ s-IHND-ee ]
Does Cindy flow with your last name?
A sweet 1950s classic carrying moonlight origins
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Cindy
Cindy is a diminutive of Cynthia, which derives from the Greek 'Kynthia,' an epithet for the goddess Artemis (Diana) meaning 'woman of Mount Kynthos.' Mount Kynthos on the island of Delos was the legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Cynthia was also a poetic name for the moon goddess, making Cindy distantly connected to lunar and hunting imagery. The name became Cindy as an affectionate English short form that gained enough popularity to stand alone.
Cindy peaked in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, making it one of the quintessential names of the Baby Boom generation. Its popularity was boosted by Cindy Sherman (born 1954) and later by supermodel Cindy Crawford, who kept the name in public consciousness through the 1980s-90s. The name has declined sharply for new babies and now carries a strong mid-century American flavor.
Cindy is indelibly associated with the American postwar era — think sock hops, poodle skirts, and Eisenhower-era suburban life. The name also connects to Cinderella through the nickname 'Cindy,' a connection reinforced by Disney's beloved 1950 animated film. The Brady Bunch's youngest girl Cindy (Cindy Brady) cemented the name in American pop culture.
Historical Record
Cindy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 251,194 babies have been named Cindy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cindy is past its peak , currently ranked #1,660 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Supermodel Cindy Crawford has been photographed by virtually every major fashion photographer in the world and defined 1990s beauty standards
- Cindy Sherman is considered one of the most important photographers of the 20th century, famous for her elaborate self-portraits in different personas
Cindy in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cindy
Cindy Crawford
Other
1966
American supermodel who defined 1990s fashion, one of the most recognized faces in the world
Cindy Sherman
Artist
1954
American photographer and director, considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century
Cindy Brady Fictional
Other
Youngest daughter on The Brady Bunch TV series (1969-1974), a sweet and sometimes troublesome little sister
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,660
- Total SSA Count
- 123
- Cultural Origins
- American English Western
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cindy
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Cindy is also used as a boy name, ranked #30185.
View Cindy as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cindy
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About the Name Cindy
Cindy is a girl name with American, English, and Western origins . The name means "moon goddess" in Greek .
Is Cindy a boy or girl name? Cindy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,660 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #30,185. Cindy is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cindy is currently ranked #1,660 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cindy has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-IHND-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cindy include Cin and Sindy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
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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