Cecilia
From Latin Caecilia, feminine form of Caecilius, a Roman family name possibly derived from the byname caecus (“blind”).
Every Cecilia since 1880 — 111,688 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cecilia
Cecilia is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #108 in 2025 with 2,506 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 111,688 American babies have been named Cecilia. Its peak came in 2025, when 2,506 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cecilia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cecilia year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,506 | #108 | — | — |
| 2024 | 2,248 | #123 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2,058 | #137 | — | — |
| 2022 | 2,006 | #145 | — | — |
| 2021 | 2,095 | #133 | — | — |
| 2020 | 1,860 | #147 | — | — |
| 2019 | 1,861 | #153 | — | — |
| 2018 | 1,809 | #155 | — | — |
| 2017 | 1,815 | #168 | — | — |
| 2016 | 1,827 | #177 | — | — |
| 2015 | 1,782 | #181 | — | — |
| 2014 | 1,640 | #206 | — | — |
| 2013 | 1,434 | #224 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1,463 | #215 | — | — |
| 2011 | 1,317 | #242 | — | — |
| 2010 | 1,202 | #277 | — | — |
| 2009 | 1,235 | #266 | — | — |
| 2008 | 1,259 | #271 | — | — |
| 2007 | 1,242 | #276 | — | — |
| 2006 | 1,245 | #264 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1,189 | #281 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,178 | #279 | 5 | #11,649 |
| 2003 | 1,162 | #271 | — | — |
| 2002 | 1,171 | #269 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,166 | #269 | — | — |
| 2000 | 1,137 | #283 | — | — |
| 1995 | 1,128 | #251 | — | — |
| 1990 | 847 | #326 | 6 | #7,309 |
| 1985 | 657 | #358 | 6 | #5,902 |
| 1980 | 654 | #361 | 6 | #5,625 |
| 1975 | 512 | #399 | — | — |
| 1970 | 621 | #383 | — | — |
| 1965 | 733 | #332 | — | — |
| 1960 | 1,036 | #283 | — | — |
| 1955 | 1,004 | #270 | — | — |
| 1950 | 921 | #249 | — | — |
| 1945 | 656 | #264 | — | — |
| 1940 | 629 | #252 | — | — |
| 1935 | 487 | #274 | — | — |
| 1930 | 567 | #262 | 5 | #4,084 |
| 1925 | 705 | #251 | — | — |
| 1920 | 757 | #238 | — | — |
| 1915 | 723 | #221 | — | — |
| 1910 | 287 | #226 | — | — |
| 1905 | 237 | #197 | — | — |
| 1900 | 249 | #199 | — | — |
| 1895 | 138 | #232 | — | — |
| 1890 | 91 | #262 | — | — |
| 1885 | 71 | #237 | — | — |
| 1880 | 44 | #233 | — | — |
Famous people named Cecilia
- Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne Companion · 1862–1938
- Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin Astronomer · 1900–1979
- Cecilia Gallerani Celebrity · 1473–1536
- Cecilia Renata of Austria Companion · 1611–1644
- Cecilia Bartoli Singer · b. 1966
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cecilia mean?
From Latin Caecilia, feminine form of Caecilius, a Roman family name possibly derived from the byname caecus (“blind”).
How popular is the name Cecilia in 2025?
Cecilia ranked #108 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,506 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cecilia?
111,688 babies have been named Cecilia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cecilia most popular?
Cecilia peaked in 2025, when 2,506 newborns received the name.
Is Cecilia a boy or girl name?
Cecilia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cecilia rising or falling?
Cecilia is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cecilia?
Well-known people named Cecilia include Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne (companion), Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (astronomer), Cecilia Gallerani (celebrity).