The first name Cyril
A boy’s name from Greek meaning “lord”, “master”.
Pronounced /ˈsɪɹəl/ 2 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Cyril means “lord”, “master” in Greek.
Via Late Latin Cȳrillus, from Ancient Greek Κύριλλος (Kúrillos), from κύριος (kúrios, “lord, master”).
More names that mean god.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 5 boys were named Cyril, making it the 3,684th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2008, with 15 births (#1,457).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Cyril with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Cyril at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 38 boys born in the United States were named Cyril, the 3,143rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1916, when 328 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Cyril in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Cyril in Czech and Slovak too.
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Cyril
Famous people named Cyril
93 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Cyril Norman HinshelwoodEnglish physical chemist (1897-1967)
- Cyril M. KornbluthAmerican science fiction author (1923-1958)
- Cyril ConnollyBritish author (1903–1974)
- Cyril V. JacksonAstronomer (1903-1988)
- Cyril CollardFrench author, filmmaker, composer, musician and actor (1957–1993)
- Cyril AbiteboulFrench motor racing engineer and manager, born 1977
- Cyril ScottEnglish composer, writer, and poet (1879–1970)
- Cyril SukCzech tennis player and official (born 1967)
- Cyril ThéréauFrench association footballer, born 1983
- Cyril RaffaelliFrench martial artist, born 1974
- Cyril Radcliffe, 1st Viscount RadcliffeBritish Viscount (1899-1977)
- Cyril MontanaFrench writer and journalist, born 1969
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Cyril mean?
- Cyril means “lord”, “master” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Cyril?
- Via Late Latin Cȳrillus, from Ancient Greek Κύριλλος (Kúrillos), from κύριος (kúrios, “lord, master”).
- How popular is the name Cyril?
- In 2025, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Cyril, ranking 3,684th. Its peak was 2008, with 15 births.
- What are nicknames for Cyril?
- Common nicknames for Cyril include Cy.
- Is Cyril a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 12,131 US babies named Cyril since 1880 were boys.
- When was Cyril most popular?
- 1916 in the United States, when 328 babies were named Cyril, its highest rank at 283rd.
- How do you pronounce Cyril?
- Cyril is /ˈsɪɹəl/, 2 syllables.