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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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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TheYearOfSmallThings · 12/05/2024 10:34

Fairly unusual, and really lovely.

NerdyBird · 12/05/2024 10:32

I think it's just not popular, lots of people will know the name so to me it's not unusual. For a nickname you could borrow Cecy from the 'What Katy Did' books.

Or change it a bit and go for Cicely instead.

yikesanotherbooboo · 12/05/2024 10:04

It's certainly uncommon but it is a well known name so not unusual in that sense. I know one teenager and one of my dolls when I was a child.

MysticCT · 12/05/2024 09:19

I used to know one, she went by Cece and would have been over 100 by now. I think it's a pretty name.

pinkmags · 12/05/2024 09:14

Louise isn’t unusual. Although there weren’t many babies given the name, there are lots and lots of women in their 30s and 40s called Louise

Exactly- there are thousands of Louises among us!

Cecily being used 53 in 2021 is not unusual either. My dc name was used 21 times in their birth year.

goldenretrievermum5 · 12/05/2024 02:59

I’d say it’s quite uncommon but definitely not unusual.

There were 2 in now 19 year old DD’s relatively small primary school. It’s a name that I always admired!

BruFord · 12/05/2024 00:00

It’s a very old name and personally, I think it’s pretty. It’s derived from Cecelia, I think, which is even prettier imho. I’ve only known one Cecily, but I wish I’d thought of it for my DD, it’s unusual.

Viviennemary · 11/05/2024 23:59

I would say Cecily was an uncommon name not an unusual name. Louise has gone out of fashion now but it was quite well used in the past.

Revelatio · 11/05/2024 23:58

I know one in her 50s and one who is a toddler. Both Thames Estuary oddly enough, one Essex, one Kent. I wonder if it’s more popular around that area?

novocaine4thesoul · 11/05/2024 23:57

Liked it (esp as mum is called Cecilia), but shortened it is Cess or Silly. Neither great.

ShellBell33 · 11/05/2024 23:57

quite unusual but beautiful

SuprasternalNotch · 11/05/2024 23:55

WYorkshireRose · 11/05/2024 19:54

It's not unusual. It just isn't popular.

Exactly. Two different things.

salamithumbs · 11/05/2024 23:43

It feels unusual to me because I've only ever met one...I'd say I'd have to meet 3 people with a certain name to consider it 'usual'. I think it's a nice name!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 11/05/2024 21:43

Lovely name. I know of one who must be in her early 30s now. I can't see any reason to shorten it. My daughter and I both have names that are often shortened and we have both steadfastly refused all our lives to accept any shortened version or nicknames.

Moreteaandchocolate · 11/05/2024 21:01

I don’t know of any. I agree with pp comments that the difference with Louise is the fact that there are loads of Louise’s in their 30’s / 40’s, so it’s not unusual in the general population, whereas Cecily is unusual across all ages. (Unfortunately I also agree that it’s a shame it naturally shortens to Cess, which puts me off)

glasslightly · 11/05/2024 20:07

I think it depends on where you are. We’re London based and there are two in DC1s class of 18 and 1 in DC2s slightly larger class.

JassyRadlett · 11/05/2024 20:07

Uncommon but not unusual. And absolutely beautiful.

FayCarew · 11/05/2024 20:06

Fairly. I'm not keen on it. Cess-pit association

VivienneDelacroix · 11/05/2024 20:05

I know two. One is almost 90 and the other is 10.

HarpieDuJour · 11/05/2024 20:04

I agree that it's uncommon rather than unusual. I like it, but I can't hear it without thinking of The Importance Of Being Ernest. ("Cecily Cardew? What a very sweet name! Something tells me that we are going to be great friends. I like you already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never wrong.")

JennyLake · 11/05/2024 20:02

I know one in her 30s who is a social butterfly and goes by CeeCee. Another early 40s always known as Cecily and very reserved and graceful. Both a bit posh! Lovely name

Choux · 11/05/2024 20:02

cecilys.co/blogs/news/meet-the-founder-cecily-mills
If this ice cream gets popular it will become more known.

Possibly a bit more popular in the US according to this list.
www.famousfix.com/list/celebrities-with-first-name-cecily

eggandonion · 11/05/2024 20:01

I had to meet my husband after he was at a work event. He introduced me to his colleague who said 'You must be Henriettas cousin Cecily'. I am her cousin but my name isn't Cecily. But I think its an excellent name.

Spirallingdownwards · 11/05/2024 20:00

My son has a friend Cecily. She is the only one I have come across in real life. Its such a pretty name and nicer than Cecil for a boy which I would never choose

Quartzkitchen · 11/05/2024 19:59

I wouldn't describe Cecily as unusual, it has just never been popular whereas Louise has been hence the difference.