Cecile is a feminine given name of French origin, derived from the Latin word "caecus," which means "blind." The name was originally used as an insult for people who were blind or had poor eyesight. However, over time, it has evolved into a popular name for girls in France and other Francophone countries.
The most famous historical figure with the name Cecile is Saint Cecilia, a Roman martyr from the 2nd or 3rd century AD. According to legend, she refused to marry a pagan man and instead chose to dedicate her life to God. As a result, she was sentenced to death by beheading but survived for three days after her execution. She is now considered one of the patron saints of musicians.
Despite its somber origins, Cecile has become an increasingly popular name in recent years. In France alone, it consistently ranks among the top 500 most popular names for girls each year since the 1980s. The name also has variations such as Cécile (with a circumflex accent), which is more common in France.
Overall, Cecile remains a unique and timeless name with deep historical roots. While its origins may be surprising, it has come to represent strength, courage, and devotion throughout the centuries.
The name Cecille has been given to a total of 984 babies in the United States since 1888, with fluctuations in its popularity over time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Cecille was somewhat popular, with between five and ten births per year occurring annually from 1888 to 1917. The highest number of Cecille births during this period occurred in 1917, with 21 babies being given the name.
However, the popularity of Cecille began to decline in the 1920s and 1930s, with fewer than ten births per year occurring annually from 1924 onwards. This trend continued until the 1940s, when the number of Cecille births began to fluctuate more significantly.
From 1942 to 1959, there were between five and 16 Cecille births each year in the United States. However, after 1960, the popularity of the name began to decline once again, with fewer than ten births per year occurring annually until the 1980s.
From 1980 onwards, the number of Cecille births fluctuated between five and eight each year in the United States. The most recent data available shows that there were six Cecille births in 2022.
Overall, while the name Cecille has not been among the most popular choices for parents in the United States, it has still been given to a significant number of babies over the past century and a half.