Cybill
A feminine name derived from the Latin "Cybele", meaning goddess of fertility.
Name Census estimates that about 125 living Americans carry the first name Cybill. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Cybill today is around 44 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cybill births was 1973 (31 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cybill. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
125
~ 1 in 2,742,035 Americans
Peak year
1973
31 babies that year
Average age
44
years old
1997 SSA rank
#14,221
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Cybill: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cybill from the 1970s through to the 1990s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 64 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1970s peak, Cybill remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cybill by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cybill during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Cybill
The given name Cybill is believed to have originated from the French language, specifically the word "cybèle," which was derived from the ancient Greek name "Kybele." This name was associated with the Phrygian goddess Cybele, who was revered as the Great Mother of the Gods in ancient Anatolian and Greek mythology. Cybele was a prominent figure in the ancient world, particularly in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean region.
The earliest recorded use of the name Cybill can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various French literary works and records. It was likely introduced as a variation of the name Cybele, reflecting the influence of French culture and language during that time period.
One of the most notable historical figures who bore the name Cybill was Cybill Shepherd, an American actress born in 1950. She rose to fame in the 1970s with her roles in films such as "The Last Picture Show" and "Taxi Driver." Shepherd also starred in several successful television series, including "Moonlighting" and "Cybill."
Another famous Cybill was Cybill Disobedience, an American punk rock singer and musician who was active in the late 20th century. She gained popularity for her unconventional stage persona and her unique blend of punk and alternative rock music.
In the literary realm, Cybill Pines was a fictional character created by the acclaimed American author John Irving in his novel "The World According to Garp." The character played a significant role in the novel's exploration of themes such as feminism and gender roles.
Cybill Colette was a French artist and sculptor from the early 20th century. She was known for her avant-garde works and her contributions to the Cubist movement in art. Her sculptures and paintings often depicted abstract forms and geometric shapes, reflecting the artistic trends of her time.
Cybill Redcliffe was a British novelist and poet who lived in the 19th century. She gained recognition for her romantic novels and her vivid descriptions of the English countryside. Her works were popular among the literary circles of her era and helped shape the genre of romantic fiction.
While the name Cybill has its roots in ancient mythology and French language, it has gained popularity and recognition across various cultures and time periods. These historical examples demonstrate the versatility and enduring appeal of this unique and intriguing name.
Notable bearers
Famous people named Cybill
People
Cybill + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cybill as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cybill: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cybill?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 125 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cybill going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,742,035 US residents.
Is Cybill a common name?
We classify Cybill as "Very Rare". It ranks above 67.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 135 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cybill most popular?
The single biggest year for Cybill was 1973, when 31 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cybill is about 44 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Cybill a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cybill in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.