The nameSybil
Sybil comes from the sibyls, the prophetesses of antiquity.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Sybil comes from the Greek sibylla, "prophetess".
Origin
Greek.
History
Sybil Fawlty of Fawlty Towers and Lady Sybil of Downton Abbey keep the name familiar. In the United States it reached 282nd in 1919.
Famous people named Sybil
- Sybil Thorndike, actress
- Sybil Ludington, Revolutionary War heroine
Popularity of the name Sybil
Sybil in the United States
Sybil was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 4,442 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Sybil. Its rise began around 1900, and it peaked in 1921. Half of all babies named Sybil in the United States were born before 1937, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 132 births a year on average, against 108 in the five years before.
Sibling names for Sybil
Names from the same generation as Sybil, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Sybil? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Sybil with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Sybil side by side with the name of your choice.
Sybil in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sybil mean?
Sybil comes from the Greek sibylla, "prophetess".
What is the origin of the name Sybil?
Greek.
Is Sybil a girl's or a boy's name?
Sybil is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Sybil?
In 2024, Sybil was the 1553rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 136 births.
What are good sibling names for Sybil?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Gaia, Margaux, Agnes and Althea for a sister, Bastian, Alistair, Kilian and Ollie for a brother.
Who are famous people named Sybil?
Sybil Thorndike, actress; Sybil Ludington, Revolutionary War heroine.