Cecilia Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Cecilia Name Meaning

Fact: Historical figures named Cecilia include Cecilia Gallerani, a renowned Italian noblewoman and muse for Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “Lady with an Ermine.”

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A Deep Dive

Cecilia Overview

Meaning

Blind, hidden

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin name “Caecilia,” meaning “blind.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/səˈsɪl.i.ə/

Popularity

Cecilia is a timeless name with global appeal, especially popular in European countries. In the USA, it ranked at 145th for girls in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

33 (Nurturing, Spiritual, Expressive, Altruistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Popular

Associated Traits

Graceful, musical, elegant, compassionate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and is celebrated for her piety and musical talent.

Name Day

November 22 (Italy)
A Deep Dive

Cecilia Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Cecelia, Cecily, Celia, Cicely, Celina

Common Nicknames

Cilla, Ceci, Sia, Silly, Cee

Diminutives

Cece, Cici, Lia, Cia, Celie

Famous People

  • Cecilia Bartoli
    (Italian Opera Singer)
  • Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
    (British-American Astronomer)
  • Cecilia Cheung
    (Hong Kong Actress)
  • Cecilia Beaux
    (American Painter)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Cecilia Tallis
    ("Atonement," Film)
  • "Cecilia"
    (Song by Simon & Garfunkel)
  • Cecilia Reyes
    ("The New Mutants," Film)
  • Cecilia Lisbon
    ("The Virgin Suicides," Film)
  • Cecilia Kass
    ("The Invisible Man," Film)

Places

  • Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
    (Rome, Italy)
  • Santa Cecilia Street
    (Los Angeles, California, USA)
  • Santa Cecilia Chapel
    (Bohol, Philippines)

What Is the Meaning of Cecilia?

Cecilia means “blind” in Latin, though it symbolizes someone who possesses inner vision and insight. Cecilias are often viewed as graceful and wise, with a deep sense of intuition.

What Is the Origin of The Name Cecilia?

The name Cecilia has its roots in ancient Rome, derived from the Latin name “Caecilia,” which belonged to a famous Roman family. It gained popularity through Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians.

Cecilia Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Cecilia in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1332021#1452022#1372023
Top 3 Rankings#1332021#1372023#1452022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Cecilia

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023137
(+8 from 2022)
2050
(+45 from 2022)
0.11720
2022145
(-12 from 2021)
2005
(-89 from 2021)
0.11182
2021133
(+14 from 2020)
2094
(+235 from 2020)
0.11688
2020147
(+6 from 2019)
1859
(-1 from 2019)
0.10517
2019153
(+2 from 2018)
1860
(+53 from 2018)
0.10137
2018155
(+13 from 2017)
1807
(-8 from 2017)
0.09717
2017168
(+9 from 2016)
1815
(-12 from 2016)
0.09607
2016177
(+4 from 2015)
1827
(+46 from 2015)
0.09438
2015181
(+25 from 2014)
1781
(+141 from 2014)
0.09129
2014206
(+18 from 2013)
1640
(+206 from 2013)
0.08383
2013224
(-9 from 2012)
1434
(-29 from 2012)
0.07439
2012215
(+27 from 2011)
1463
(+146 from 2011)
0.07543
2011242
(+35 from 2010)
1317
(+116 from 2010)
0.06797
2010277
(-11 from 2009)
1201
(-34 from 2009)
0.06125
2009266
(+5 from 2008)
1235
(-24 from 2008)
0.06099
2008271
(+5 from 2007)
1259
(+17 from 2007)
0.06045
2007276
(-12 from 2006)
1242
(-3 from 2006)
0.05868
2006264
(+17 from 2005)
1245
(+56 from 2005)
0.05955
2005281
(-2 from 2004)
1189
(+11 from 2004)
0.05858
2004279
(-8 from 2003)
1178
(+16 from 2003)
0.05838
2003271
(-2 from 2002)
1162
(-9 from 2002)
0.05791
2002269
No change from 2001
1171
(+6 from 2001)
0.05929
2001269
(+14 from 2000)
1165
(+28 from 2000)
0.05881
2000283
(+2 from 1999)
1137
(+34 from 1999)
0.05697
1999285
No change from 1998
1103
(+50 from 1998)
0.05666
1998285
(+15 from 1997)
1053
(+91 from 1997)
0.05432
1997300
(-31 from 1996)
962
(-110 from 1996)
0.05039
1996269
(-18 from 1995)
1072
(-56 from 1995)
0.05591
1995251
(+35 from 1994)
1128
(+159 from 1994)
0.05870
1994286
(-8 from 1993)
969
(-29 from 1993)
0.04971
1993278
(-3 from 1992)
998
(-19 from 1992)
0.05062
1992275
(+16 from 1991)
1017
(+52 from 1991)
0.05073
1991291
(+35 from 1990)
965
(+118 from 1990)
0.04746
1990326
(-12 from 1989)
847
(+37 from 1989)
0.04123
1989314
(+24 from 1988)
810
(+83 from 1988)
0.04066
1988338
(-9 from 1987)
727
(-16 from 1987)
0.03780
1987329
(+20 from 1986)
743
(+57 from 1986)
0.03964
1986349
(+9 from 1985)
686
(+30 from 1985)
0.03717
1985358
(-33 from 1984)
656
(-66 from 1984)
0.03553
1984325
(+27 from 1983)
722
(+82 from 1983)
0.04004
1983352
(+1 from 1982)
640
(-24 from 1982)
0.03576
1982353
(-11 from 1981)
664
(-19 from 1981)
0.03660
1981342
(+19 from 1980)
683
(+29 from 1980)
0.03819
1980361
(-5 from 1979)
654
(+18 from 1979)
0.03673
1979356
(+23 from 1978)
636
(+80 from 1978)
0.03691
1978379
(+20 from 1977)
556
(+36 from 1977)
0.03382
1977399
(-2 from 1976)
520
(+4 from 1976)
0.03161
1976397
(+1 from 1975)
516
(+4 from 1975)
0.03283
1975398
(-12 from 1974)
512
(-27 from 1974)
0.03280
1974386
(+14 from 1973)
539
(+38 from 1973)
0.03441
1973400
(-24 from 1972)
501
(-68 from 1972)
0.03224
1972376
(+7 from 1971)
569
(-31 from 1971)
0.03529
1971383
No change from 1970
600
(-20 from 1970)
0.03423
1970383
(+23 from 1969)
620
(+75 from 1969)
0.03385
1969406
(-16 from 1968)
545
(-5 from 1968)
0.03092
1968390
(-30 from 1967)
550
(-70 from 1967)
0.03217
1967360
(-3 from 1966)
620
(-24 from 1966)
0.03611
1966357
(-24 from 1965)
644
(-89 from 1965)
0.03668
1965333
(-5 from 1964)
733
(-102 from 1964)
0.04011
1964328
(-11 from 1963)
835
(-34 from 1963)
0.04266
1963317
(-40 from 1962)
869
(-186 from 1962)
0.04371
1962277
(+20 from 1961)
1055
(+91 from 1961)
0.05205
1961297
(-14 from 1960)
964
(-72 from 1960)
0.04641
1960283
(-8 from 1959)
1036
(-6 from 1959)
0.04981
1959275
(+4 from 1958)
1042
(+40 from 1958)
0.05013
1958279
(-13 from 1957)
1002
(-55 from 1957)
0.04851
1957266
(+6 from 1956)
1057
(+60 from 1956)
0.05038
1956272
(-2 from 1955)
997
(-7 from 1955)
0.04841
1955270
(-3 from 1954)
1004
(+20 from 1954)
0.05008
1954267
(-15 from 1953)
984
(-54 from 1953)
0.04943
1953252
(-2 from 1952)
1038
(+54 from 1952)
0.05380
1952250
(-3 from 1951)
984
(+30 from 1951)
0.05174
1951247
(+2 from 1950)
954
(+33 from 1950)
0.05164
1950249
(-7 from 1949)
921
(-23 from 1949)
0.05237
1949242
(-1 from 1948)
944
(-11 from 1948)
0.05377
1948241
(+1 from 1947)
955
(-18 from 1947)
0.05480
1947242
(+8 from 1946)
973
(+171 from 1946)
0.05352
1946250
(+14 from 1945)
802
(+146 from 1945)
0.04972
1945264
(-6 from 1944)
656
(-48 from 1944)
0.04873
1944258
(-25 from 1943)
704
(-138 from 1943)
0.05152
1943233
No change from 1942
842
(+12 from 1942)
0.05866
1942233
(+18 from 1941)
830
(+160 from 1941)
0.05969
1941251
(+1 from 1940)
670
(+41 from 1940)
0.05377
1940252
(+9 from 1939)
629
(+67 from 1939)
0.05324
1939261
(+7 from 1938)
562
(+13 from 1938)
0.04956
1938268
(-6 from 1937)
549
(-11 from 1937)
0.04810
1937262
(+8 from 1936)
560
(+54 from 1936)
0.05082
1936270
(+4 from 1935)
506
(+19 from 1935)
0.04696
1935274
(+22 from 1934)
487
(+49 from 1934)
0.04481
1934296
(-5 from 1933)
438
(+7 from 1933)
0.04047
1933291
(-4 from 1932)
431
(-37 from 1932)
0.04120
1932287
(+5 from 1931)
468
(+9 from 1931)
0.04230
1931292
(-30 from 1930)
459
(-108 from 1930)
0.04159
1930262
(+28 from 1929)
567
(+67 from 1929)
0.04861
1929290
(-18 from 1928)
500
(-70 from 1928)
0.04319
1928272
(-14 from 1927)
570
(-84 from 1927)
0.04768
1927258
(-12 from 1926)
654
(-63 from 1926)
0.05289
1926246
(+5 from 1925)
717
(+12 from 1925)
0.05828
1925251
(-14 from 1924)
705
(-63 from 1924)
0.05582
1924237
(+1 from 1923)
768
(+26 from 1923)
0.05927
1923238
(+2 from 1922)
742
(+9 from 1922)
0.05924
1922240
(-4 from 1921)
733
(-28 from 1921)
0.05875
1921236
(+1 from 1920)
761
(+4 from 1920)
0.05947
1920237
(-9 from 1919)
757
(+11 from 1919)
0.06085
1919228
(+1 from 1918)
746
(-9 from 1918)
0.06351
1918229
(+4 from 1917)
755
(+51 from 1917)
0.06279
1917233
No change from 1916
704
(+19 from 1916)
0.06265
1916233
(-12 from 1915)
685
(-38 from 1915)
0.06309
1915221
(+13 from 1914)
723
(+198 from 1914)
0.07061
1914234
(-20 from 1913)
525
(+40 from 1913)
0.06590
1913214
(-4 from 1912)
485
(+32 from 1912)
0.07406
1912210
(-3 from 1911)
453
(+111 from 1911)
0.07721
1911207
(+18 from 1910)
342
(+55 from 1910)
0.07741
1910225
(-5 from 1909)
287
(+30 from 1909)
0.06841
1909220
(-14 from 1908)
257
(-6 from 1908)
0.06982
1908206
(+9 from 1907)
263
(+29 from 1907)
0.07418
1907215
(-7 from 1906)
234
(+15 from 1906)
0.06935
1906208
(-11 from 1905)
219
(-18 from 1905)
0.06987
1905197
(-7 from 1904)
237
(-13 from 1904)
0.07649
1904190
(+2 from 1903)
250
(+32 from 1903)
0.08549
1903192
(+22 from 1902)
218
(+23 from 1902)
0.07836
1902214
(-12 from 1901)
195
(-1 from 1901)
0.06956
1901202
(-3 from 1900)
196
(-53 from 1900)
0.07710
1900199
(-4 from 1899)
249
(+44 from 1899)
0.07837
1899195
(+6 from 1898)
205
(-8 from 1898)
0.08283
1898201
(+13 from 1897)
213
(+53 from 1897)
0.07770
1897214
(-1 from 1896)
160
(-8 from 1896)
0.06444
1896213
(+19 from 1895)
168
(+30 from 1895)
0.06667
1895232
(-11 from 1894)
138
(-6 from 1894)
0.05585
1894221
(+14 from 1893)
144
(+18 from 1893)
0.06102
1893235
(-14 from 1892)
126
(-12 from 1892)
0.05594
1892221
(-2 from 1891)
138
(+17 from 1891)
0.06136
1891219
(+43 from 1890)
121
(+30 from 1890)
0.06156
1890262
(-15 from 1889)
91
(+2 from 1889)
0.04512
1889247
(-13 from 1888)
89
(-8 from 1888)
0.04704
1888234
(-6 from 1887)
97
(+14 from 1887)
0.05120
1887228
(+24 from 1886)
83
(+15 from 1886)
0.05340
1886252
(-16 from 1885)
68
(-3 from 1885)
0.04423
1885236
(+3 from 1884)
71
(+8 from 1884)
0.05002
1884239
(+43 from 1883)
63
(+24 from 1883)
0.04579
1883282
(+8 from 1882)
39
(+2 from 1882)
0.03248
1882290
(-33 from 1881)
37
(-2 from 1881)
0.03198
1881257
(-24 from 1880)
39
(-5 from 1880)
0.03945
1880233
First SSA data recorded
44
First SSA data recorded
0.04508

American States Popularity Rankings for Cecilia

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1862021#2062022#2012023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1842021#2112022#1982023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1282021#1232022#1202023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#792021#702022#762023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#842021#1302022#1132023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#882021#1102022#1032023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#972021#912022#802023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1712021#1882022#1652023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1032021#782022#822023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2752021#1962022#2392023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#652021#572022#472023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3472021#3432022#922023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#842021#1072022#842023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#752021#1052022#702023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1072021#1602022#1502023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1172021#1622022#1742023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1542021#912022#1312023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1452021#1582022#1532023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1402021#1332022#1172023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2342021#2082022#1912023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1072021#1192022#972023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1562021#1092022#1382023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2142021#1912022#2672023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1252021#1202022#1072023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2502021#2372022#2052023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2352021#2282022#1942023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3002021#3082022#2512023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1322021#832022#502023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3692021#1972022#3012023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1482021#1882022#1352023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1572021#1112022#2052023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1232021#1232022#882023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1962021#2862022#2692023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4012021#2712022#3822023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#532021#1262022#352023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2202017#1282018#1512023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2162021#3382022#2052023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5832019#4812021#3222023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1772021#3292022#2382023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1952019#2162021#1332022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#952021#912022#1062023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1962021#2182022#2882023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1542020#702021#1112023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#752021#692022#712023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2172019#542021#1082022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#912021#902022#1842023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1172021#772022#1092023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1632018#782020#1382022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#912019#752021#812023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1801994#1872010#1422023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1092014#502019

Popularity Rankings for Cecilia in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Italy

Italy flagItaly#352020#352021#342022

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#611999

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#822021#622022#742023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1522021#2052022#872023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#892002#4332022#3872023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1342002#1722003#1882004

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1602020#1362021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1432006#1822007#1482008

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1562021#1872022#2292023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3382020#2642021#2262022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4582019#4082020#3032021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3052022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3162021#3352022#3092023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3262021

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3422021#3892022#3392023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#3802020#3412021#3542022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4422021#4702022#3422023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3472019#4672022#4892023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#6032019#3972021#4582023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#7642021#4582022#6252023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Cecilia a Name for Boys or Girls?

Cecilia suits girls. Its graceful and musical qualities, combined with its historical significance, make it a lovely option for baby girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Cecilia

Cecilia in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Cecilia Bartoli (Opera Singer, born 1966): An Italian mezzo-soprano celebrated for her performances in Baroque and Classical opera.
  • Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (Astronomer, 1900–1979): A British-American astronomer who made groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of stellar atmospheres and compositions.
  • Cecilia Cheung (Actress, born 1980): A Hong Kong actress and singer known for her roles in "King of Comedy" and "Lost in Time."
  • Cecilia Beaux (Painter, 1855–1942): An American portrait painter whose works are held in major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • Cecilia Muñoz (Political Advisor, born 1962): An American political advisor who served as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council in the Obama administration.
  • Cecilia Rouse (Economist, born 1963): An American economist who served as the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Joe Biden.
  • Cecilia Roth (Actress, born 1956): An Argentine-Spanish actress who starred in films such as "All About My Mother" and "Talk to Her."
  • Cecilia Grierson (Physician, 1859–1934): An Argentine physician and the first woman to receive a medical degree in Argentina.
  • Cecilia Tallis ("Atonement," 2007 Film): A young woman whose love affair with Robbie Turner is tragically interrupted by a false accusation.
  • "Cecilia" (1970 Song by Simon & Garfunkel): A catchy and upbeat song about a man lamenting his unfaithful lover, Cecilia.
  • Cecilia Reyes ("The New Mutants," 2020 Film): A doctor with the ability to generate protective force fields, who supervises young mutants in a secret facility.
  • Cecilia Lisbon ("The Virgin Suicides," 1999 Film): The youngest of the Lisbon sisters whose tragic fate sets the tone for the story.
  • Cecilia Kass ("The Invisible Man," 2020 Film): A woman who escapes an abusive relationship only to be tormented by her ex who has found a way to become invisible.
  • "Cecilia Ahern" (2004 Author): An Irish author known for her novel "P.S. I Love You," which was adapted into a popular film.
  • Cecilia Vanger ("The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," 2005 Novel): A member of the Vanger family who plays a pivotal role in the investigation into her niece's disappearance.
  • Santa Cecilia City (Rome, Italy): A historic district in Rome, home to the Basilica of Santa Cecilia.
  • Santa Cecilia Street (Los Angeles, California, USA): A bustling street in Los Angeles with a mix of residential and commercial properties.
  • Cecilia River (Western Cape, South Africa): A picturesque river in the Western Cape known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities.
  • Santa Cecilia Park (Madrid, Spain): A charming park in Madrid offering green spaces and recreational facilities.
  • Cecilia Village (Louisiana, USA): A small village in Louisiana with a close-knit community and local charm.
  • Santa Cecilia Chapel (Bohol, Philippines): A historic chapel in Bohol, significant for its religious and cultural heritage.
  • Cecilia Hill (Ontario, Canada): A scenic hill in Ontario offering hiking trails and panoramic views.

Similar Names to Cecilia