Cecilia, Claudia or...?

[Smurftastic]

DD2 due imminently. We have a short surname. DD1 has a rare-ish, classic name outside top 100, looking for something similar for her sister. We really like Cecilia, but not so keen on the meaning ('blind'). Would she get called See-see, or would it sound like Sissy ? Also like Claudia but meaning also throws me off a little. Any other ideas?

Adore Claudia - classic, elegant and underused (in this country, although it seems more popular internationally). I don't think the meaning is a huge problem personally, otherwise it would be less popular in some Hispanic countries.

I do like Cecilia too though - again classic, elegant and more popular abroad. Only minor issue to me is that it might sometimes be misspelt as Cecelia (although again the "meaning" wouldn't bother me - my name doesn't have a great meaning either!) But if the meaning concerns you, how about the Shakespearean Celia - means heavenly and is equally underused?

Much prefer Cecilia to Claudia which I’ve always thought was ugly.

Celèste. She might go through life as Celèste or maybe a completely unrelated nn. "Boo" for example.

Love Cecilia, it reminds me of an old friend of my parents, she was a lot older than them, more like a grandmother,. She was such a lovely lady, I have very found memories of her.

There was also a Cecily at my DDs school. She was lovely too, always watching out for the younger children.

Celia
Celeste
Cassandra
Caitlin
Cleo
Clemmie
Carla
Claire
Candice

I prefer Claudia, but don't think most people she meets throughout her life will know or care about either meaning tbh.

Cecile is another option, if you were looking for alternatives to Cecilia.

Love Claudia

What about Antonia?

Not sure about Antonia, I think it sounds too much like Anthony to me? I spent whole morning looking for some inspiration, I think the main think I like about Cecilia is the 'lia' part!

I always loved Cassandra, but DH doesn't .

Not keen on Cordelia, makes me think of character from Buffy too much.
I think Rosalie is nice as well, but that's apparently from Twilight?

If you like the -lia ending, what about Thalia or Aurelia?

@Smurftastic

Not sure about Antonia, I think it sounds too much like Anthony to me? I spent whole morning looking for some inspiration, I think the main think I like about Cecilia is the 'lia' part!

I always loved Cassandra, but DH doesn't .

Not keen on Cordelia, makes me think of character from Buffy too much.
I think Rosalie is nice as well, but that's apparently from Twilight?

Delia is nice

Out of curiosity I decided to check my brother's name meaning as I didn't know it, and it also has a rather unpleasant connotation from latin, which I had no clue about. I guess perhaps it's not that important!

Still in love with Cecilia. Thank you all for suggestions, I keep adding to my list but so far Cecilia is winning. Sounds great with her sister's name and our surname as well.

I love Cecilia - instantly makes me think of the Simon & Garfunkel song which will now be stuck in my head for a fortnight!

I think I prefer Claudine to Claudia
Or Clancy

I have a Celestine and she's known as Celestine or cece
Name means heavenly and is quiet spiritual and really suits my daughter as she's very sensitive and perceptive. I don't think it would suit a loud / boisterous character or a thick-set chunky girl

Love Claudia slightly more than Cecelia (a little frilly) but both are lovely. I don’t think the meanings matter too much.

I knew a Rosalie long before Twilight came out so wouldn’t worry about that - she’s also not a major character really.

Some others: Augusta, Helena, Aurelia?

How about Selena or Camelia? Corinne? Carmen?

I love Constance/Connie. Also Estelle.

Cassia? Cassidy?
I like Cecilia though and don't think meanings matter as much as we think.

Aurelia
Theodora
Elfrida
Leonora
Calista
Madeleine
Susannah

I would go with Cecelia though.

What about Rosalia? She is the Patron Saint of Covid!

Re the meaning, it’s literally only on Mumsnet that I’ve heard (repeatedly!) that “oh Cecilia is nice but it means blind…”. Why is it ONLY Cecilia as well that gets grief for having a not great meaning when there must be countless names like that?
I think I remember double checking that there was nothing absolutely terrible attached to either of my DC’s names when we chose them but I’ve forgotten what they are now. I don’t know the meaning of my name or any other name … other than Cecilia because of MN of course!

Honestly it’s a beautiful name, although as I said I prefer Cicely which is very similar, and the meaning wouldn’t put me off I don’t think.

I like the nickname Cece. I don't think meanings matter a great deal (although I know in some cultures they do.)

Celeste, Celina, Audra, Sienna, Sierra, Esther, Rosalia

I think if you love Cecilia you should use Cecilia.

It's a lovely name. If i imagine it as my own name, it works, it's a useable, dignified name. I imagine I'd use a nn with friends and family but the whole thing for work and formal things. Having that distinction can be nice.