Cecelia is a feminine given name with Latin origins, derived from the ancient Roman family name Caecilius. It is believed to have originated from the Latin word "caecus," meaning "blind" or "blind person." The earliest known use of the name dates back to the 3rd century AD in ancient Rome.

In the early days of Christianity, the name Cecelia gained significance as it was borne by Saint Cecilia, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. She is venerated as the patron saint of music and musicians in the Catholic Church. Her story and martyrdom are recounted in the ancient Roman martyrologies and hagiographies.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Cecelia was Cecilia Majesta, a Roman noblewoman who lived in the 5th century AD and was known for her charitable works and piety. Another notable figure was Cecilia of Normandy (c. 1059-1126), a Countess of Burgundy and a member of the House of Normandy.

During the Middle Ages, the name Cecelia gained popularity across Europe, particularly in England and Italy. Several notable women bore this name, including Cecilia of York (1469-1507), the daughter of King Edward IV of England, and Cecilia Gallerani (1473-1536), an Italian Renaissance woman and the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.

In the 16th century, Cecilia Renata of Austria (1567-1633), a member of the House of Habsburg, was a notable figure who served as the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania. Another prominent woman with this name was Cecilia Ferrazzi (1609-1684), an Italian Baroque painter and one of the few female artists of her time to achieve recognition.

Throughout history, several other notable individuals have borne the name Cecelia, including Cecilia Beaux (1855-1942), an American painter known for her portraits, and Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (1900-1979), a renowned British-American astronomer and astrophysicist who made significant contributions to the understanding of stellar atmospheres.