All about the name CECEILA

Meaning, origin, history.

Cecilia is a name of Latin origin that means "sixth". It comes from the Latin word "septimana", which means "seven". In ancient Rome, the week was divided into seven days, each named after one of the seven planets known at the time. The sixth day of the week was called "dies Ceciliae" in honor of the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, Caelestis. Over time, the name evolved from Caelestis to Cecilia.

The name Cecilia has been used throughout history by several notable individuals. One of the most famous is Saint Cecilia, a Christian martyr who was killed for her faith during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the third century AD. According to legend, Cecilia was a wealthy Roman noblewoman who secretly converted to Christianity and refused to marry a pagan man. Instead, she dedicated herself to God and performed many miracles before being executed.

Another notable figure named Cecilia is the Italian composer Luigi Cherubini's opera "Cecilia, viaggiatrice nel tempo" (Cecilia, Traveler Through Time), which was premiered in 1817. The story follows a young woman named Cecilia who travels through time and meets various historical figures.

Despite its Latin origins, Cecilia has been popular as a given name in many cultures throughout history. In medieval Europe, it was often used as a female personal name, while in the Middle East, it was traditionally given to girls born on a Thursday (the sixth day of the week). Today, Cecilia is still widely used as a given name around the world and is particularly popular in English-speaking countries such as England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.