Cecelia
Meaning of Cecelia
Cecelia, a Latinate feminine form ultimately derived from the Roman family name Caecilius—borne of the adjective caecus, “blind”—entered the Anglo-American lexicon through early Christian hagiography, most notably via Saint Cecilia, the second-century Roman martyr venerated as the patroness of music; consequently, the name still carries faint overtones of lyrical devotion and artistic refinement. In contemporary usage it is rendered suh-SEE-lee-uh / səˈsiːliə / in English and cheh-CHEH-lyah / keˈkeːlja / in Italian, distinctions that underscore its cross-cultural adaptability. United States vital-statistics data reveal a pattern of quiet durability: Cecelia has appeared on the national register every year since records began in 1880, fluctuating between the mid-100s and the mid-600s in rank and settling near 480th place with 529 newborn bearers in 2024, a steadiness that signals neither fad nor obsolescence but rather a measured, perennial appeal. Nicknames such as Cece, Celia, and Lia emerge organically from the phonetic structure, while the orthographic variant Cecilia offers parents a closely related alternative; yet Cecelia’s distinctive second e confers a visual softness that some find especially graceful. Together, these historical, linguistic, and statistical facets position Cecelia as a name that marries classical pedigree with understated modern relevance, suitable for families seeking tradition without ubiquity.
Pronunciation
Italian
- Pronunced as cheh-CHEH-lyah (/keˈkeːlja/)
English
- Pronunced as suh-SEE-lee-uh (/səˈsiːliə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Cecelia
| Cecelia Tichi is an American academic and mystery novelist who serves as the Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor at Vanderbilt University, previously led the American Studies Association, and earned the Hubbell Medal for lifetime achievement in literature. |
| Cecelia Ahern is an Irish novelist whose best-selling books have been adapted into major films and a TV series. |
| Cecelia Holland is a celebrated American author famous for her historical novels. |
| Cecelia Watson is an American author specializing in the history and philosophy of science. |
| Cecelia Frey is a Canadian poet, novelist, and short story writer honored with the 2018 Golden Pen Lifetime Achievement Award. |
