Cilli

Cilli is a female first name, considered a short and affectionate form of Cecilia, a variation of the name Cäcilia. The latter originally derives from the Roman family name Caecilius. Historically, the name has often been interpreted as 'the one descended from the family of the Caecilii'.

What does the name Cilli mean?

The name Cilli is a shortened form of Cecilia, a name derived from Cäcilia, which goes back to the Roman family name Caecilius. Originally, the name meant 'the one descended from the family of the Caecilii', but it was later reinterpreted through folk etymology. Today, it is often associated with 'the blind', 'the blinded one', or 'the one-eyed'. This derivation comes from the Latin adjective caecus, meaning 'blind', 'blinded', or 'one-eyed'. Other short forms of the name include Cille, Cilia, Cilja, Cilya, Cilla, Cilly, Zilli, Zilla, and Zillah. The name became known through Saint Cecilia, a noblewoman from Rome who, along with her husband Valerian, his brother Tiburtius, and the Roman soldier Maximus, was martyred under Emperor Alexander Severus.

Where does the name Cilli come from?

Cilli has Latin roots and means 'the one descended from the family of the Caecilii'. The Latin word caecus stands for 'blind', 'one-eyed', or 'blinded'. The name is used in the German language.

How do you pronounce Cilli?

The pronunciation of Cilli is two syllables and has a bright sound. It is usually pronounced as 'Cil-li' [ˈtsɪli] or [ˈsɪli], with a clear, hissing sound at the beginning. The double 'l' structure creates a gentle thickening, while the final 'i' softly fades away. Cilli sounds friendly and lively – playful, bright, and clearly defined.

When is the name day of Cilli?

The name day for Cilli is celebrated on November 22.

Popularity

In Germany, Cilli is a rare first name. Currently, it ranks 5,884th on the list of the most common female first names. In the last ten years, the name has been given less than 10 times, placing it 11,442nd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it stands at rank 13,070. Regarding global popularity, here are the latest rankings of Cilli in the name charts of various countries.

Famous people

• Cilli Drexel (theater actress from Germany)
• Cilli Jürgensen (German theater actress)
• Cilli Wang (Austrian comedian)