Meaning & History
Cissy is a variant spelling of Sissy, originally a diminutive of names such as Cecilia, Frances, or Priscilla. The nickname also originates as a nursery form of the word "sister."
Etymology
The ultimate root of Cissy is Cecilia, the Latin feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, which derives from Latin caecus meaning "blind". According to Christian tradition, Saint Cecilia was a semi-legendary 2nd- or 3rd-century martyr who was sentenced to death for refusing to worship the Roman gods. After attempts to suffocate her failed, she was beheaded. She later became the patron saint of music and musicians.
History and Usage
The name Cecilia became common in the Christian world during the Middle Ages due to the saint's popularity. The Normans brought it to England, where it was commonly spelled Cecily. The Latin form Cecilia came into use in the 18th century. From Cecilia and other names ending in -cia, diminutives such as Cece and Sissy emerged. Cissy is a less common variant spelling of Sissy.
Notable Bearers
While Cissy is not a frequently used given name, it has been used as a nickname for notable figures. For instance, Cissy Patterson (1881–1948) was an American newspaper editor and publisher. However, the name is more familiar as a fictional name such as Cissy Sheepshanks in P.G. Wodehouse stories or Cissy King, a character in the musical The Boy Friend.
Related Names
Variants of the name include Cece, Celia, Fannie, Fanny, Fran, and Frankie. Masculine forms include Cecil and Francis. Cissy is used primarily in English.
- Meaning: Diminutive of Cecilia, Frances, or Priscilla; also nursery word for sister
- Origin: Latin, via English
- Type: Diminutive or nickname
- Usage: English
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Cissy