Cindy is a feminine given name that originated as a diminutive (or hypocorism) of Cynthia or Lucinda; it has also been used as a pet form of Cinderella. While long a nickname, it has commonly been used as a standalone name in its own right, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name has also been spelled in numerous variant forms including Cindee, Cyndee, Syndee, Sindee, Sindi, Syndi, Syndy, Cindi, Cyndi, Cyndy, and Sindy.From 1953 to 1973, Cindy was among the top 100 most common given names for baby girls in the United States, reflecting the simultaneous peak in popularity of its root name Cynthia. The popularity of both names reached a summit in 1957; both have since declined steadily.Etymology and OriginsCindy is ultimately a diminutive of Cynthia, which is itself a Latinized form of the Greek name Kynthia, meaning "woman from Cynthus". Cynthus is the mountain on the island of Delos where, in Greek mythology, the goddess Artemis and her twin brother Apollo were born. Cynthia hence became an epithet of Artemis, the goddess of the moon, wilderness, and hunting. The name Cynthia was not applied as a given name until the Renaissance, and did not become common in the English-speaking world until the 19th century. The name has also been used as a diminutive for Lucinda (cognate with the root Lucia). Other languages have related names—such as Sweden's Lucia, Italy's Lucilla, and the Armenian Lyusi—but Cindy stands out as a variant root name prominently from English, Dutch, and French usage.Notable BearersMany notable women have borne the name Cindy, contributing to its high recognition throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Most famous is arguably Cindy Crawford (born 1966), an American supermodel and actress whose rise to fame dominated the fashion industry and popular culture in the 1980s and 1990s. In acting, Sandra Bullock portrayed a FBI agent in the leading role of Gracie Hart—but other Cindys have carved names of their own. There was Cindy Birdsong (born 1939), who joined The Supremes in 1967 and remained with them (in several iterations) until 1983; Cindy Blackman Santana (born 1959), an accomplished American jazz drummer; Cindy Bishop (born 1978), a Thai actress and former beauty queen-turned-entrepreneur; and conservative politician Cindy Hyde-Smith (born 1959), a US Senator from Kentucky. The name also was used is common text such as the panda Cindy, in high-frequency cartoon of that panda that drove a certain fashion agency.Several older names also joined: Cindy Laseif Lamgenius was one middle school, some B-list Hollywood actors included: Most noted lists begin from 1995 on), with general public prominence notches specifically known through Miss America/UK contests.Related NamesMeaning: Diminutive of Cynthia or LucindaOrigin: Greek, via Cynthia and/or LucindaCommon short forms: Cyndi, Cindi, SindiHighest Usage: United States, between 1953 and early 1970s (now dated)Names in other languages used for descendents: French and Dutch Cindy; variants in Slavic nations often adopting variations including Spain language versions.