Cecil

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Cecil

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Cecil is is the the English form of Caecilus, a Latin name meaning “Blind” from the nickname “Caecus.”
-or-
Cecil is English form of Seissylt, the Welsh form of Sextilius, or Sextus, Latin names meaning “Sixth-Born.”

History:
Cecil, as the English form of Caeculius, was never nearly as common as its feminine form, Cecilia. The 3rd century St. Caeculius was not nearly as popular as St. Cecilia, patron of music.

Later, Cecil’s popularity shot up, especially in 19th century Britain, when it was given honor of the Cecil family, who were prominent members of the Conservative party (also in honor of Cecil Rhodes). They were descended from William Cecil, Queen Elizabeth I’s trusted advisor. In their case, however, the surname was derived from the Welsh name Seissylt, from Latin Sixtus.

Cecil became suddenly popular at the very end of the 19th century.

Pronunciation: sess-ull.

Alternates.
Dutch: Cecilius.
Latin: Cecilio, Cecilius.

Feminine: Cecilia.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Cecil Sharp (1859-1924)
English musician.
Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-1980)
English photographer.
Cecil Taylor (1933-)
American jazz musician.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Cecil Reddie (1858-1932)
British educational reformer.

Political Figures:
Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902)
British statesman.

Scientists:
Cecil Frank Powell (1903-1969)
British physicist. Winner of the 1950 Nobel Prize for Physics.

Singers and Entertainers:
Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959)
American filmmaker.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.078 % named Cecil

Popularity of Cecil:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 70th most popular.
1910-1920: 71st most popular.
1920-1930: 87th most popular.
1930-1940: 116th most popular.
1940-1950: 154th most popular.
1950-1960: 219th most popular.
1960-1970: 300th most popular.
1970-1980: 431st most popular.
1980-1990: 489th most popular.
1990: 701st most popular.
1991: 712th most popular.
1992: 769th most popular.
1993: 775th most popular.
1994: 858th most popular.
1995: 925th most popular.
1996: 902nd most popular.
1997: N/A

Popularity of Cecilio:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: N/A
1910-1920: 921st most popular.
1920-1930: N/A
1930-1940: 912th most popular.
1940-1950: 905th most popular.
1950-2000: N/A