Meaning & Story
Cecil comes from the Latin Caecilius, a Roman family name possibly derived from caecus meaning blind. It is strongly associated with the aristocratic Welsh Cecil family, and in modern culture, most recognized as the name of the beloved lion Cecil of Zimbabwe.
Cecil has a complicated but fascinating legacy — from Roman nobility to Welsh aristocracy to one of the world's most famous lions. The lion Cecil, killed by a trophy hunter in Zimbabwe in 2015, sparked a global conversation about wildlife conservation and made the name deeply meaningful in the animal world. On a cat or dog, Cecil carries an aristocratic, somewhat imperious quality that suits an animal who takes his position in the household very seriously. It is a name with genuine weight.