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Baby names

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Would you consider Cecily an unusual name

60 replies

oldnorsesaga · 11/05/2024 19:34

Definition of unusual name is often taken to be less used name, and in 2021 there was 53 babies named Cecily. But there was also 53 babies named Louise and I'm certain most of you will agree Louise isn't really unusual name. They are both listed as rank 709.

Would that make Cecily unusual name? Or do you think, it's familiar, but not popular name?
I would argue Cecily might be counted as unusual name, but I would still describe it as "normal" name. Kind of like Cordelia is unusual, but most people are familiar with the play and although they would not use it, it would not raise too much eyebrows. Do you agree?

full data about names beyond top 100 can be found in these documents https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesenglandandwalesbabynamesstatisticsgirls

Baby names for girls in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics

Rank and count of the top names for baby girls, changes in rank since the previous year and breakdown by country, region and month of birth.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesenglandandwalesbabynamesstatisticsgirls

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GettingStuffed · 15/05/2024 22:27

I really like Cecily but it unusual these days. I have a sister Louise but I suspect there are a lot more people with it as a middle name than as a first

trainboundfornowhere · 15/05/2024 22:25

Not unusual just unpopular. I know two named Cecily one is 11 years old and one is 15.

Hermione7 · 15/05/2024 21:12

Cecile is nice

Frenchielondon · 15/05/2024 21:04

I love the name Cecily and considered it for DD1. For me, it hits the perfect balance between being a bit different but still recognisable. If you're seriously considering it, go for it :) I know one in her thirties and she loves her name.

Mairzydotes · 14/05/2024 21:19

I like it. It is the right amount of unusualness. Not too common, but not unheard off . It's quite classy and a little bit vintage.

LilacK · 14/05/2024 17:21

I know two. One in her late 50s and another aged 11.

NDmumoftwo · 14/05/2024 17:13

I'd be more shocked to meet a baby Louise than a baby Cecily

Katiesaidthat · 14/05/2024 15:28

It reminds me of The Importance of Being Ernest, Cecily is a lovely name.

Mckypch · 13/05/2024 22:48

Not unusual - my manager has one. I like Cecilia better.

Rainingsincenovember · 13/05/2024 22:46

I've never met one, but I have positive associations from Cecily Strong in SNL.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 12/05/2024 21:06

I think it's quite unusual, but I've met one young one, who would now be about 15.

CadyEastman · 12/05/2024 18:30

FayCarew · 12/05/2024 18:28

I was picturing a lady in edwardian clothes with a parasol.Smile

No parasol but about the right age Wink

FayCarew · 12/05/2024 18:28

I was picturing a lady in edwardian clothes with a parasol.Smile

CadyEastman · 12/05/2024 17:49

Bloody autocorrect! Yes, last century 🤦‍♀️

peaceinourtime · 12/05/2024 15:48

Slightly, I think of my grandmothers neighbour who died 30 years ago. She was a Cecily.

Riverlee · 12/05/2024 15:48

Last century?

FayCarew · 12/05/2024 15:40

What's the lady century?

CadyEastman · 12/05/2024 15:02

Only ever one and she was born around the turn of the lady century.

I think it's a beautiful name Wink

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 12/05/2024 13:58

Louise is very different- very classic and underused now but it was popular for so long that it doesn’t feel quite as timeless to me ( in that I’d guess a Louise more likely to be 40’s or older) - similar style names might be Helen, Sarah, Laura etc.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 12/05/2024 13:55

Yes, beautiful, elegant and fairly uncommon yet well known - Cecily reminds me of the Plantagenets (I think there were a couple of Cecily’s).
I’d put names like Antonia, Claudia, Serena (and indeed, Cecilia and Celia) in the same category as Cecily- timeless and underused.

Needmorelego · 12/05/2024 12:46

It's a very pretty name.
It sounds very Edwardian to me.
It probably fizzled out in popularity after that era so would have become a rare name.
Louise however - a name I like but every other girl born in the 60s/70s was probably named Louise so people think of it as more popular - even though it's not used so much now.

JT69 · 12/05/2024 12:40

Gorgeous name . As a reader of historical novels there is Cecilly Neville Duchess of York and mother to 2 kings. A very strong and astute lady.

TeamPolin · 12/05/2024 12:32

I knew one, in her 80s. I think it's a pretty name.

Snugglemonkey · 12/05/2024 12:30

Uncommon, but not weird. I think it is lovely and Ceecee is very sweet for a baby.

Riverlee · 12/05/2024 10:53

I imagine there’ll be a few more now as a result of this thread.