Cecilia is a feminine given name of Latin origin, which means "blind". It is derived from the Roman family name Caecilius, which was originally a nickname given to someone with impaired vision. The name Cecilia has been used since ancient times and has been borne by various saints and martyrs throughout history. It was also a popular name among early Christians and has been used in literature, music, and art. Today, the name Cecilia is still widely used around the world, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, beauty, and grace.
Cecilia rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Cecilia
Celia | SEE-lee-uh | A shortened version of Cecilia. |
Cece | SEE-see | A cute and playful nickname for Cecilia. |
Cissy | SISS-ee | An affectionate and sweet nickname for Cecilia. |
Cilla | SILL-uh | A shortened version of Cecilia that sounds more modern. |
Celie | SEE-lee | A unique and trendy nickname for Cecilia. |
Sia | SEE-uh | A simple and easy-to-say nickname for Cecilia. |
Lia | LEE-uh | A short and sweet nickname for Cecilia. |
Famous people named Cecilia
Cecilia Bartoli | Opera Singer | Italian mezzo-soprano known for her interpretations of Mozart and Rossini. |
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin | Astronomer | British-born American astronomer and astrophysicist who discovered that stars were made mostly of hydrogen and helium. |
Cecilia Roth | Actress | Argentine actress known for her roles in films such as 'All About My Mother' and 'Talk to Her'. |
Cecilia Cheung | Actress | Hong Kong actress and singer known for her roles in films such as 'Shaolin Soccer' and 'The Promise'. |
Cecilia Chiang | Chef | Chinese-American chef and restaurateur who introduced authentic Chinese cuisine to the United States. |
Cecilia Meireles | Poet | Brazilian poet known for her lyrical and introspective poetry. |
Cecilia Brækhus | Boxer | Norwegian professional boxer and former undisputed welterweight champion. |
Cecilia Vicuña | Artist | Chilean poet, visual artist, and filmmaker known for her work in the field of conceptual art. |
Cecilia Morel | First Lady | Chilean psychologist and the First Lady of Chile from 2010 to 2014. |
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard | Author | Filipino-American author known for her novels and short stories about the Filipino diaspora. |
Fictional character called Cecilia from pop culture
Cecilia Tallis | Atonement | Main character in the novel and film "Atonement" by Ian McEwan, portrayed by Keira Knightley in the film adaptation. |
Cecilia Reyes | X-Men | A mutant character in the X-Men comic book series, portrayed by Alice Braga in the film "The New Mutants". |
Cecilia Munroe | The Walking Dead | A character in the comic book series "The Walking Dead", who is a member of the Alexandria Safe-Zone community. |
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin | Astronomy | A real-life astronomer who discovered that stars are mostly made up of hydrogen and helium, and was the first woman to earn a PhD in astronomy from Harvard University. |
Cecilia Shepard | Silent Hill 3 | A character in the video game "Silent Hill 3", who is a member of a cult called the Order. |
Cecilia Alcott | Infinite Stratos | A character in the anime and light novel series "Infinite Stratos", who is a British IS pilot. |
Cecilia Burnett | The Secret Life of Bees | A character in the novel "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd, who is a friend of the main character Lily Owens. |
Cecilia Reyes | The Gifted | A mutant character in the TV series "The Gifted", who is a doctor and mentor to the mutant underground. |
Cecilia Gallerani | The Lady with an Ermine | A real-life noblewoman who was the subject of a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, titled "The Lady with an Ermine". |
Frequently Asked Questions about Cecilia
What is the origin of the name Cecilia? | The name Cecilia has Latin origins. |
What does the name Cecilia mean? | The name Cecilia means 'blind' or 'dim-sighted' in Latin. |
Is Cecilia a popular name? | Cecilia is not one of the most popular names, but it has been consistently used throughout history. |
What are some famous people with the name Cecilia? | Famous people with the name Cecilia include Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, and Cecilia Bartoli, an Italian opera singer. |
What are some variations of the name Cecilia? | Variations of the name Cecilia include Cecelia, Celia, and Sisilia. |
Is there a nickname for the name Cecilia? | Yes, some common nicknames for Cecilia are Cece, Celia, and Lia. |
What is the popularity of the name Cecilia in recent years? | According to the Social Security Administration, Cecilia ranked as the 153rd most popular name for girls in 2020 in the United States. |
What is the meaning behind Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music? | Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music because it is said that she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was being forced to marry a pagan. She is often depicted playing an instrument or surrounded by musical symbols. |