Cecil is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Latin word "caecus," which means blind or sightless. The name was initially used as a nickname for people who were visually impaired, but over time it evolved into a given name in its own right.
The first recorded use of Cecil as a given name was in the 13th century, when it appeared as a surname. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that Cecil began to be used as a first name. The most famous bearer of this name is undoubtedly Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, who served as a chief advisor and secretary of state to King James I of England.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures with the name Cecil. These include Sir Arthur Cecil, an English businessman and philanthropist, and Cecil Rhodes, the British colonial administrator and mining magnate after whom the country of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) is named.
Despite its historical roots, Cecil remains a relatively uncommon name today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there were only 13 babies named Cecil in 2019. However, for those who choose this unique and historic name, it offers a connection to the rich tapestry of English history.
Based on the statistical data provided, we can observe the trends and patterns of babies named Cecil born in the United States from 1880 to 2022.
The name Cecil first appeared in significant numbers in 1885 with 31 births. This number continued to rise, peaking at 241 births in 1916. This decade (1910s) saw the highest overall popularity of the name Cecil, with birth counts ranging from 114 to 241.
Interestingly, after reaching its peak in 1916, the popularity of the name Cecil began a steady decline over the next few decades. By 1930, the number of babies named Cecil had dropped to 79 births, and it continued to decrease until it reached single digits by 1962.
From 1963 onwards, the name Cecil was given to very few newborns each year in the United States. The birth counts ranged from 5 to 13 between 1963 and 1974, then fell below five births per year starting in 1975. This trend continued until 2001, with most years having fewer than three babies named Cecil.
Since 2001, the number of newborns named Cecil has remained quite low but somewhat stable, with birth counts ranging from 5 to 8 between 2001 and 2015. In recent years (2015-2022), there were five births each year.
In total, over the period from 1880 to 2022, there were 7687 babies named Cecil born in the United States. This data shows a clear rise and fall in popularity for the name Cecil, with its peak popularity occurring during the early 20th century.