Would you consider Cecily an unusual name

[oldnorsesaga]

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

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.

Cecily is lovely.

I know one.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.")

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

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

Uncommon but not unusual. And absolutely beautiful.

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.

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)

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.

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!

Exactly. Two different things.

quite unusual but beautiful