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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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Choux · 11/05/2024 19:58

I used to know a Cecily. She will be about 35 now. You are absolutely right in that it's unusual but not totally out there, made up etc. It's lovely.

SunshineAndFizz · 11/05/2024 19:58

Yes its unusual.

Louise may be less popular now but in the 80s everyone called their babies Louise (or middle name), there's a whole army of them out there.

Riverlee · 11/05/2024 19:57

I see it as a non-common , but not wacky name. Ie. Most people have probably heard of it, and know how to spell it. Saying that, I quite often see it in the Baby name board, so I guess it’s increasing in popularity.

Louise us unusual for todays cohort of babies, but not for 70s-born babies, whilst Cecily was less popular then so. Hence Louise is perceived as less uncommon

ClockHolly · 11/05/2024 19:57

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. And so many more with it as a middle name.

FurryGiraffe · 11/05/2024 19:56

I wouldn't say unusual, but not particularly popular. I know two: one is 28 and one is a baby.

Grovescamp15 · 11/05/2024 19:55

I would say unusual but not so that it feels unfamiliar or 'made up'. I think it's lovely.

IDontHateRainbows · 11/05/2024 19:55

I know of one. Her nickname is Cess. Which makes me think of cess-pit which is why I wouldn't choose it

WYorkshireRose · 11/05/2024 19:54

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

BoudiccaOfSuburbia · 11/05/2024 19:54

Cecily is lovely.

I know one.

DoublePeonies · 11/05/2024 19:51

Yes, very unusual. I've never met one. Is it Cecil-ee or some other variation not quite as linked to the boys name? I suspect it's always ranked fairly low in the list.

Louise, on the other hand, must have been much higher than 700 in the baby name list in the past. While there aren't many babies, there are certainly a lot of people called Louise around.