gender neutral
Cecil
blind, dim-sighted
About Cecil
Classic British charm radiates from Cecil, a name steeped in aristocratic heritage and literary tradition. This vintage choice has weathered the test of time, surviving periods of both favor and neglect to emerge as a distinguished option for discerning parents. Cecil carries an unmistakable air of sophistication and old-world elegance that sets it apart in an era dominated by modern inventions and surname-as-first-name trends. The name suits contemplative, intelligent personalities with an appreciation for history and culture. While it may initially read as formal, Cecil possesses surprising warmth and approachability once familiar, revealing hidden depths beneath its proper exterior. It connects to notable historical figures across various fields, from politics to arts, providing rich context and conversation. Parents choosing Cecil demonstrate confidence in their child's ability to carry a substantial name with grace and make it their own. The name's current rarity in younger generations offers a fresh take on vintage revival, positioning your child ahead of rather than behind naming curves.
Popularity of the Name Cecil
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #248 | |||
| 1881 | #268 | |||
| 1882 | #225 | |||
| 1883 | #212 | |||
| 1884 | #186 | |||
| 1885 | #154 | |||
| 1886 | #168 | |||
| 1887 | #155 | |||
| 1888 | #158 | |||
| 1889 | #142 | |||
| 1890 | #121 | |||
| 1891 | #126 | |||
| 1892 | #115 | |||
| 1893 | #114 | |||
| 1894 | #102 | |||
| 1895 | #100 | |||
| 1896 | #97 | |||
| 1897 | #84 | |||
| 1898 | #87 | |||
| 1899 | #77 | |||
| 1900 | #76 | #20 | ||
| 1901 | #70 | #30 | ||
| 1902 | #65 | #21 | ||
| 1903 | #66 | #30 | ||
| 1904 | #67 | #34 | ||
| 1905 | #72 | #27 | ||
| 1906 | #68 | #35 | ||
| 1907 | #69 | #34 | ||
| 1908 | #72 | #38 | ||
| 1909 | #72 | #36 | ||
| 1910 | #77 | #42 | ||
| 1911 | #76 | #39 | ||
| 1912 | #76 | #37 | ||
| 1913 | #74 | #43 | ||
| 1914 | #79 | #49 | ||
| 1915 | #76 | #49 | ||
| 1916 | #80 | #56 | ||
| 1917 | #83 | #59 | ||
| 1918 | #82 | #55 | ||
| 1919 | #78 | #53 | ||
| 1920 | #77 | #61 | ||
| 1921 | #79 | #66 | ||
| 1922 | #85 | #75 | ||
| 1923 | #87 | #63 | ||
| 1924 | #85 | #74 | ||
| 1925 | #87 | #72 | ||
| 1926 | #86 | #85 | ||
| 1927 | #92 | #80 | ||
| 1928 | #97 | #91 | ||
| 1929 | #101 | #121 | ||
| 1930 | #99 | #101 | ||
| 1931 | #102 | #88 | ||
| 1932 | #108 | #100 | ||
| 1933 | #111 | #108 | ||
| 1934 | #111 | #112 | ||
| 1935 | #109 | #122 | ||
| 1936 | #114 | #136 | ||
| 1937 | #114 | #107 | ||
| 1938 | #118 | #153 | ||
| 1939 | #114 | #153 | ||
| 1940 | #117 | #140 | ||
| 1941 | #132 | #145 | ||
| 1942 | #131 | #143 | ||
| 1943 | #132 | |||
| 1944 | #142 | #156 | ||
| 1945 | #152 | #159 | ||
| 1946 | #159 | #138 | ||
| 1947 | #165 | #144 | ||
| 1948 | #166 | #178 | ||
| 1949 | #173 | |||
| 1950 | #171 | |||
| 1951 | #181 | #194 | ||
| 1952 | #185 | |||
| 1953 | #196 | #205 | ||
| 1954 | #194 | |||
| 1955 | #205 | |||
| 1956 | #215 | |||
| 1957 | #230 | #206 | ||
| 1958 | #247 | |||
| 1959 | #251 | |||
| 1960 | #255 | |||
| 1961 | #251 | |||
| 1962 | #258 | |||
| 1963 | #266 | |||
| 1964 | #290 | |||
| 1965 | #277 | #183 | ||
| 1966 | #284 | #201 | ||
| 1967 | #320 | #196 | ||
| 1968 | #321 | #225 | ||
| 1969 | #330 | #218 | ||
| 1970 | #337 | #219 | ||
| 1971 | #344 | #308 | ||
| 1972 | #354 | #221 | ||
| 1973 | #377 | #328 | ||
| 1974 | #375 | #332 | ||
| 1975 | #417 | #331 | ||
| 1976 | #412 | #324 | ||
| 1977 | #409 | #253 | ||
| 1978 | #417 | #339 | ||
| 1979 | #426 | #301 | ||
| 1980 | #401 | |||
| 1981 | #464 | #331 | ||
| 1982 | #494 | #294 | ||
| 1983 | #480 | |||
| 1984 | #483 | |||
| 1985 | #533 | |||
| 1986 | #535 | |||
| 1987 | #575 | |||
| 1988 | #564 | #274 | ||
| 1989 | #647 | |||
| 1990 | #663 | |||
| 1991 | #682 | |||
| 1992 | #740 | |||
| 1993 | #745 | #841 | ||
| 1994 | #837 | |||
| 1995 | #910 | |||
| 1996 | #883 | |||
| 1997 | #970 |
Top names by country: United States · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Cecil
- Cecilio
- Cecyl
- Cezary
Names Similar to Cecil
Nicknames for Cecil
- Cec
- Cece
- Cil
- Cis
Famous People Named Cecil
| Cecil B. DeMille | American filmmaker and director |
| Cecil Day-Lewis | English poet and father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis |
| Cecil Rhodes | British businessman, politician, and founder of Rhodesia - now Zimbabwe and Zambia |
| Cecil Taylor | American jazz pianist and poet |
| Cecil Fielder | American baseball player |
| Cecil Parkinson | British politician and cabinet minister |
| Cecil Kellaway | South African-born actor |
| Cecil Green | Co-founder of Texas Instruments |
| Cecil Porter | Canadian Olympic gold medalist in rowing |
| Cecil Travis | American baseball player and All-Star shortstop |
| Cecil McBee | American jazz bassist |
| Cecil Beaton | English fashion and portrait photographer |
| Cecil Chao | Hong Kong businessman and real estate mogul |
| Cecil Dixon | British footballer |
| Cecil Shorts III | American football wide receiver |
| Cecil Lammey | American sports radio host and writer |
| Cecil Afrika | South African rugby sevens player |
| Cecil Exum | Former Australian basketball player and father of NBA player Dante Exum |
| Cecil Brown | American politician and former Lieutenant Governor of California |
| Cecil Dillon | Jamaican cricketer and former Test captain |
Characters Named Cecil
| Cecil Gaines | Character from the movie "The Butler" |
| Cecil Harvey | Character from the video game "Final Fantasy IV" |
| Cecil Colby | Character from the TV series "Dynasty" |
| Cecil Stedman | Character from the comic book series "Invincible" |
| Cecil Vyse | Character from the novel "A Room with a View" by E.M. Forster |
| Cecil Newton | Character from the TV series "Friday Night Lights" |
| Cecil Turtle | Character from Looney Tunes cartoons |
| Cecil Terwilliger | Character from the TV series "The Simpsons" |
| Cecil Clayton | Character from the TV series "House of Cards" |
| Cecil Palmer | Character from the video game "Animal Crossing" |
| Cecil Van Gogh | Character from the manga and anime "Aria" |
| Cecil Tucker | Character from the TV series "Veronica Mars" |
| Cecil Banks | Character from the TV series "Archer" |
| Cecil "C.C" Calhoun | Character from the TV series "The West Wing" |
| Cecil O'Brian | Character from the TV series "The Nanny" |
| Cecil Fredericks | Character from the film "A Single Man" |
| Cecil McMillan | Character from the TV series "The Cosby Show" |
| Cecil "Cec" Demille | Character from the TV series "MASH" |