Sibyle
A girl's name of Greek origin with 49 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Sibyle peaked during early twentieth-century America, when 13 babies received this name in a single year (1918). That era was defined by heritage-rooted naming, and Sibyle has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Sibyle is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Sibyle is a girl's baby name of Greek origin, a variant of Sibyl, from the Greek sibylla meaning 'prophetess' — the sibyls being the ancient female oracles who sat at sacred sites and uttered divine prophecies.
The Cumaean Sibyl guided Aeneas into the underworld. Michelangelo painted the sibyls alongside the prophets on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Sibyle is a rare spelling that carries all that oracular weight in a slightly softer, more personal form — a name that suggests someone who sees what others cannot.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Sibyle belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Greek naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Greek names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Sibyle’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sibyle has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 31 | — |
The Story of Sibyle
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Sibyle is a name steeped in history. Girls named Sibyle are most likely born between 1917 and 1923.
How rare is Sibyle?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sibyle is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, peaked in the 1910s with 31 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Sibyle by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 1917–1923)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1923 | 5 | #5612 |
| 1920 | 13 | #2711 |
| 1919 | 12 | #2787 |
| 1918 | 13 | #2657 |
| 1917 | 6 | #4522 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sibyle a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sibyle most popular?
How popular is the name Sibyle?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–1923