"sun, shepherd"
Origin: Old Persian (via Cyrus)
Language: English
Cy
Pronunciation: [ s-EYE ]
Boy Name
#2,349 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
1 Syllable
A one-syllable vintage powerhouse with baseball roots
American
Western
Persian
Minimalist
Bold
Vintage
Strong
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"lord, master"
Origin: Greek (via Cyril)
Language: Greek
The Story of Cy
Cy functions as a standalone name derived from Cyrus (from Old Persian 'Kūrush,' meaning 'sun' or 'shepherd') or Cyril (from Greek 'Kyrillos,' meaning 'lord'). Cyrus was the name of Cyrus the Great (c. 600-530 BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire and celebrated in the Hebrew Bible for freeing Jewish captives from Babylonian exile. As a standalone initial-style name, Cy gained American popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — particularly in baseball culture.
Cy was most popular in the United States from the 1880s through the 1930s, largely through associations with Cy Young (1867-1955), the legendary baseball pitcher whose name now graces the annual award given to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. It's making a quiet comeback as parents rediscover single-syllable names with vintage punch.
Cy Young's dominance of early baseball was so complete that the Cy Young Award — given annually to the best pitcher in each Major League Baseball league — immortalized his name in sport. Cy Twombly (1928-2011), the influential American painter known for gestural abstract works, gave the name art-world prestige.
Fun Facts
- Cy Young (1867-1955) won 511 Major League Baseball games — a record that will likely never be broken
- Cy Twombly (1928-2011) was one of the 20th century's most influential abstract painters, known for scrawled, gestural canvases
Cy in Other Languages
Greek
Κύριλλος
French
Cy
Persian
سایروس
Spanish
Cy
Famous People Named Cy
C
Cy Young
Athlete
American baseball pitcher (1890-1911) who won a record 511 games — the Cy Young Award is named in his honor
C
Cy Twombly
Artist
American painter and sculptor, known for gestural abstract works blending writing and painting
C
Cyrus the Great
Royalty
Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 600-530 BCE), celebrated in the Hebrew Bible for freeing Jewish captives fr...
Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 600-530 BCE), celebrated in the Hebrew Bible for freeing Jewish captives from Babylon
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,349
- Total SSA Count
- 60
- Cultural Origins
- American Western Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Cy James
Cy Morgan
Cy Lee
Cy Dean
Cy Ray
Cy Grant
Cy Blake
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Cy is also used as a girl name, ranked #20287.
View Cy as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Cy and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Cy sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Cy
What does the name Cy mean?
"sun, shepherd" (from Old Persian (via Cyrus)). "lord, master" (from Greek (via Cyril)). Cy functions as a standalone name derived from Cyrus (from Old Persian 'Kūrush,' meaning 'sun' or 'shepherd') or Cyril (from Greek 'Kyrillos,' meaning 'lord'). Cyrus was the name of Cyrus the Great (c. 600-530 BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire and celebrated in the Hebrew Bible for freeing Jewish captives from Babylonian exile. As a standalone initial-style name, Cy gained American popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — particularly in baseball culture.
What is the origin of the name Cy?
Cy has Old Persian (via Cyrus), Greek (via Cyril), American, Western, and Persian origins. In Old Persian (via Cyrus), it means "sun, shepherd". In Greek (via Cyril), it means "lord, master".
Is Cy a boy or girl name?
Cy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2349. As a girl name, it is ranked #20287. Cy is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cy?
Cy is pronounced s-EYE.
How popular is the name Cy?
Cy is currently ranked #2349 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Cy?
Popular middle name pairings include Cy James, Cy Morgan, Cy Lee, Cy Dean, Cy Ray, Cy Grant, and Cy Blake.
What are good sibling names for Cy?
Names that pair well with Cy as siblings include Beau, Rex, Axel, June, Nova, Mae, Wren, and Arlo.
How many syllables does Cy have?
Cy has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cy a common or rare name?
Cy is an uncommon name, ranked #2349 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cy
Cy is a boy name with American, Western, and Persian origins . The name means "sun, shepherd" in Old Persian (via Cyrus) .
Is Cy a boy or girl name? Cy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,349 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #20,287. Cy is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cy is currently ranked #2,349 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cy has 1 syllable and is pronounced s-EYE, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Cy include Cyrus, Cypress, Cyaire, Cylas, Cyril . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.