Cecily is a charming and unique name of English origin, derived from the Latin word "Caecilius," which means "blind." This name has been used throughout history, often as a female variation of the male name Caecilius.
The earliest known use of Cecily as a given name for females dates back to medieval England. During this time, it was common for families to give their daughters names that were traditionally used for males in order to honor family members or relatives. One notable example is Saint Cecilia, who was a martyr and the patron saint of music. She was known for her courage and faith during Roman times, which may have contributed to the popularity of the name Cecily among early Christians.
In literature, Cecily appears as a character in Shakespeare's play "The Comedy of Errors," which was written around 1594. The story follows two sets of identical twins who were separated at birth, and one set of twins is named Antipholus and Cecily. This play helped to popularize the name Cecily among English speakers during the Renaissance period.
Over time, Cecily has evolved into a more feminine-sounding name, with some variations including Cecilie, Cecila, and Cecille. Despite its long history, it remains relatively uncommon today, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet timeless name for their daughter.
In summary, Cecily is an English name of Latin origin that means "blind." It has been used throughout history, particularly in medieval England and during the Renaissance period. While once considered unisex, it has become more associated with females over time. Its unique sound and rich historical background make Cecily a charming choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their daughter.
The given statistics show the annual occurrences of the name Cecely in the United States from 1973 to 1998, with a total of 80 births over this period.
From 1973 to 1974, there were six and seven births respectively. The name then disappeared from the records for some time until it resurfaced in 1989 with eleven births. In the following years, the number of babies named Cecely increased significantly, reaching a peak of seventeen births in 1990.
However, this trend did not continue, and the number of newborns given the name Cecely decreased thereafter. There were nine births in 1991 and eight in 1992. After another gap in the records, the name appeared again with five births each in 1994 and 1995. The year 1996 saw seven more babies named Cecely.
The final data point shows that there were five births in 1998. Although the popularity of the name Cecely fluctuated over the years, it is clear that it remained relatively uncommon throughout this period, with an average of fewer than six births per year.