Meaning & History
Silje is a Norwegian and Danish feminine given name, originating as a diminutive of Cecilia. The name is predominantly used in Norway and Denmark, where it has maintained steady popularity.
Etymology
The root name Cecilia is the Latinate feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, derived from Latin caecus meaning "blind". Saint Cecilia was a semi-legendary 2nd or 3rd-century martyr who refused to worship Roman gods and was eventually beheaded; she later became the patron saint of music and musicians. The name became common in the Christian world during the Middle Ages and was brought to England by the Normans, where it took the form Cecily. The Latinate form Cecilia gained usage in the 18th century.
Notable Bearers
- Silje Nergaard (born 1966), Norwegian jazz vocalist and songwriter
- Silje Norendal (born 1993), Norwegian snowboarder
- Silje Solberg (born 1990), Norwegian handball goalkeeper
- Silje Jørgensen (born 1975), former Norwegian footballer and Olympic champion
- Silje Reinåmo (born 1982), Norwegian actress
- Silje Nes (born 1980), Norwegian multi-instrumentalist
Among other well-known bearers are handball player Silje Bolset, orienteering champion Silje Ekroll Jahren, environmentalist Silje Lundberg, and Silje Redergård, a Norwegian murder victim whose case drew public attention.
Variants and Related Forms
In Denmark, related diminutives include Cille and Sille. Across languages, the name appears as Caecilia (Ancient Roman), Cecília (Slovak), Cecilija (Sorbian), Cecílie (Czech), Cecilie (Czech and Scandinavian), and Cecilia (Swedish, among others).
- Meaning: Diminutive of Cecilia, ultimately from Latin caecus ("blind")
- Origin: Norwegian and Danish diminutive
- Type: Short form of a classic saint name
- Usage Regions: Norway, Denmark
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Silje