I just came across the name [name]Cecily[/name] recently and my hubby and I both think it’s beautiful! But according to Nameberry, it means blind. 
What do you all think? Does this make the name undisirable to you or does the meaning not really matter all that much? What do you think of the name [name]Cecily[/name] in general? I’m pronouncing it SES-el-ly, is this correct?
Eagerly awaiting your reply… 
I love the name [name]Cecily[/name] but wouldn’t use for my own child. My first Daughters name means ‘beloved’ so it would be a bit unfair. It depends on what the name means to you and whether literal meaning matters to you or not.
I pronounce [name]Cecily[/name] SESS-i-lee. The i is a short sound, as in the ‘i’ of ‘it’.
I think [name]Cecily[/name] is a lovely, vintage name, and while I knew of the meaning, it is not by any means obvious, so I do not think it matters at all. I think of [name]Cecily[/name] Cardew, a character in [name]Oscar[/name] Wilde’s The Importance of Being [name]Earnest[/name], and also of the woman who wrote the [name]Flower[/name] Fairies books.
Actually, [name]Cecily[/name] only means ‘blind’ by association. [name]Cecily[/name] is derived from [name]Cecilia[/name], which is in turn derived from the [name]Roman[/name] family name Caecilius. A family name was the second (I believe) of a [name]Roman[/name]'s names, with the first being a given name and the third identifying which tribe they originated from. Effectively, it was like a surname. Having one of these family names was a sign of prestige, as having three names marked you out as a [name]Roman[/name] citizen, as opposed to a slave or a free man from one of their colonies.
Presumably, one of the original bearers of the family name Caecilius was blind (from the Latin word ‘caecus’), but as with names such as [name]Smith[/name], it would have registered in [name]Roman[/name] people’s minds as only a family name, and the meaning would not have been really thought of.
I think more important is the fact, whether you are religious/[name]Christian[/name] or not, that [name]Saint[/name] [name]Cecilia[/name] was an early martyr - she stuck firmly to her beliefs, and that is something which is admirable from both a secular and religious point of view (she was martyred for refusing to worship the [name]Roman[/name] gods - this was before [name]Constantine[/name] made the [name]Roman[/name] Emipre [name]Christian[/name]). She is also the patron saint of music and musicians.
In addition, the Caecilii were a very powerful family, within the [name]Roman[/name] army and senate. Quite how powerful they were is shown by the fact that one member of the house was allowed to become one of the highly respected, very rare priestesses called ‘vestal virgins’. They had a great deal more power and independence than other [name]Roman[/name] women.
Sorry - I have gone off on such a tangent! In short, I love the name [name]Cecily[/name] and do not think that you should be bothered by the meaning.
Good luck! [name]Auburn[/name]
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Carys[/name]
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Ahava[/name]
Agreed. I love [name]Cecily[/name], and it doesn’t personally bother me that the name sort of means “blind.” It is a gorgeous, unique, vintage name with an excellent literary reference - I love ‘The Importance of Being [name]Earnest[/name]’ and its names! - that would be a refreshing choice for a little girl today.
SESS-ih-lee is how I say it…
[name]Lemon[/name]
I once looked into getting a decorative wall hanging for my Aunt [name]Cecilia[/name] with her name and the meaning of her name on it. I was disappointed to learn that her name meant blind. However, the person who designed the wall hangings noted that the meaning is a picture of true [name]FAITH[/name]… because being blind requires faith. I thought it was a beautiful connotation to point out in the meaning of the name!
I second everything [name]Auburn[/name] said. Beautiful name with a great history. Use it.
[name]Cecily[/name] is a gorgeous name. I wouldnt worry about the meaning. no one is going to even think about it.
for instance, the name [name]Juliette[/name] means down-bearded youth. I doubt many people think about this when they meet a girl with this name!
I think the name [name]Cecily[/name] is very pretty and the meaning wouldn’t bother me. I like the suggestion to make the MN mean love.
Wow! I’m plesently surprised at how many of you had positive things to say about the name [name]Cecily[/name] - dispite the meaning! It’s just such a pretty name!
Aubern, thanks so much for all the detailed info on the origin of the name [name]Cecily[/name]!
[name]Fay[/name], I [name]LOVE[/name] your suggestion of using a middle name with the meaning “love” - such as [name]Carys[/name]. [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Carys[/name] is a beautiful combination, and the maeaning “blind love” is really quite sweet! 
Again, thanks to all of you for your encouraging words - I think we’ll keep [name]Cecily[/name] on our list!
I love the name [name]Cecily[/name].
I think meanings depend on interpretation. Everything has a good and bad side. Being blind means your other senses being heightened. It could also be interpreted as not judging on appearences.
I think [name]Cecily[/name] is a lovely name and [name]Auburn[/name] you were absolutely fantastic in explaining the history etc of this name.
[name]Cecily[/name] [name]Kate[/name] for me.
I [name]ADORE[/name] [name]Cecily[/name]. It is our #1 favorite name and we will likely name our first daughter [name]Cecily[/name]. The name is so light and delicate, but unlike most vintage classics it doesnt even rank in the top 1000. There were only 106 little Cecilys born last year (compare that to the 22,000 Isabellas) The name gets a lot of attention on name boards so I do see the popularity rising slightly, but I dont it will be dramatic.
The meaning doesnt matter to me. Afterall, who besides name nerds ever know the meaning of a name? [name]Cameron[/name] means “crooked nose” and [name]Kennedy[/name] means “mishappened head.” [name]Both[/name] of those meaning are far worse than “blind” and it hasnt kept people from using the names. I think people take the literal meaning of names far too seriously. Who cares is a name has a amazing meaning if its an ugly name? But thats just me.
I must say I dont think you will find a more perfect name than [name]Cecily[/name]
If you like literary connections, [name]Oscar[/name] Wilde used the name for one of his characters in the play “The Importance of being [name]Earnest[/name].” The play is really funny and one of our personal favorites.
And yes you are prn it correctly.
I think the meaning would turn me off from the name. Meanings are more important than what the name looks and sounds like. If a name looks pretty, but has a bad meaning I have to get rid of it.I thought the name [name]Campbell[/name] was nice until I found out that it meant crooked mouth. Needless to say, it is no longer on my list of possibilities.Sometimes people are asked what their name means and etc., esp if they have a less common name. I try to pick names that have significant meaning, and it must be something positive. I think you all should explore other options. There are so many beautiful names out there that have great meaning in addition to looking and sounding lovely.
I have loved the name [name]Cecily[/name] since I was a little girl. I received this beautiful, delicate, blond doll from my Dad as a gift when I was 8 and that was the name she came with.
I have always considered the sound and style of a name to be more important than its meaning.
I love [name]Cecily[/name] ! And if the meaning is important to you, I think that pairing it with a mn of a complementary meaning ([name]Cecily[/name] [name]Carys[/name] = blind love = amazing) is a perfect way of solving that issue.
Thank you everyone for sharing your opinion on the name [name]Cecily[/name]. Sounds to me like most of you are saying - Go for it! 
So glad to hear so many positive comments. I’m REALLY loving the suggestion of [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Carys[/name] - meaning blind love. Such a great way of taking a beautiful name with a not so great meaning, and giving it a rather sweet meaning.
[name]Cecily[/name] has definitely been added to our list! The only thing is we would really like to honor my mom, [name]Diane[/name], with our future daughter’s name. What do you all think of [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Carys[/name] [name]Diane[/name], or [name]Diana[/name] [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Carys[/name], or something…??? Not sure it really has the best flow, but then how often would we really use the whole name? Any thoughts?
I really like the flow of [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Diane[/name] [name]Carys[/name] myself. [name]Diane[/name] means “divine/heavenly” so you would have “blind divine love.” That is still really good imo!
Leah_9 I like your suggestion of [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Diane[/name] [name]Carys[/name]! Hadn’t thought of that! Or maybe even [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Diana[/name] [name]Carys[/name]???
I have a little [name]Cecily[/name] so we obviously weren’t completely put off by the meaning. It was a consideration in our decision making but I don’t regret it for a minute. I think it is a beautiful name- delicate and vintage with a wonderful history behind it. In spite of it sounding so feminine, I don’t think it is the name of a shrinking violet!
Thank you auburn for detailing the history so beautifully. [name]Do[/name] you enjoy studying the history behind names?