Cynthia: Exploring the Meaning and Origin of the Name

What Does Cynthia Mean?

The name Cynthia means “moon goddess” or “from Mount Cynthus,” which is on Delos Island in Greece ⁽¹⁾. Cynthia means “moon goddess,” “foe of evil,” or “goddess Devi” in Hindi.

What Is the Origin of the Name Cynthia?

“Cynthia” alludes to the Greek goddess Artemis, twin sister of Apollo; it is a variant of the name Kynthia.

Artemis was an Olympian goddess of the moon, hunt, wild, animals, chastity, and childbirth.

Artemis remained independent from other gods. She protected her chastity fiercely and gained energy by resting under the moon.

Artemis is pictured as a beautiful, young huntress with a bow and arrow. An animal like a deer or hunting dog often accompanies her. She usually wears a long robe and crescent moon crown.

The name Cynthia signifies a strong and independent female, specifically attuned to nature.

How Popular Is the Name Cynthia?

The name Cynthia first came into use in the United States in the 19th century. By the mid-20th century, it became one of the most popular names for a girl in the U.S.

Cynthia entered the list of top 100 names in 1945 and was in the top 10 for most of the 1950s and 1960s. After the ’60s, the name’s popularity dropped slightly, but it remained in the top 100 until 1994.

Cynthia remains a fairly popular name to this day; it sat at number 806 in 2021 ⁽²⁾. Though it is most popular among Americans, it is also a popular Latin and Indian feminine name.

How Do I Pronounce Cynthia?

Cynthia is pronounced SIN-thee-yah.

Is Cynthia a Boy or Girl Name?

Cynthia is generally considered a girl’s name, but it was used as a boy’s name in the distant past.

Variations of Cynthia

The variations of the name mostly come from alternative spellings of the full name Cynthia or the nickname Cindy.

If you are looking for a variation, there are many options:

• Cindee
• Cindi
• Cindie
• Cinny
• Cinthia
• Cintia
• Cinzia
• Cyn
• Cynda
• Cyndee
• Cyndie
• Cynthea
• Sindee
• Sindy
• Sindya
• Sinnie
• Synda
• Syndi
• Syntha
• Synthia

Nicknames for Cynthia

You can work with either the beginning or the end of the name Cynthia for nicknames. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Cece
• Cinda
• Cindy
• Cinnee
• Cyd
• Cyn
• Cyndi
• Sia
• Thea
• Tia
• Titi

Similar Names to Cynthia

There are derivatives of the name Cynthia, like the nicknames above, but we have not seen many similar names. It is a unique and strong name.

Here are a few similar names:

• Cinead: Scottish, meaning “born of fire” (girl or boy name).
• Cinta: Indonesian, meaning “love.”
• Cintia: Hungarian, meaning “goddess of the moon.”
• Cinzia: Italian, meaning “moon goddess.”
• Selena: Greek and Spanish, meaning “moon.”
• Xanthia: Greek, meaning “yellow” or “blonde.”

Middle Names for Cynthia

You can choose a longer or shorter middle name for Cynthia – classic or trendy. We recommend that you try these out and see how they sound together:

• Annalise
• Camelia
• Catherine
• Elizabeth
• Josephine
• Luisa
• Louise
• Mae
• Marie
• Riley
• Rose
• Rue
• Theodora

Sibling Names for Cynthia

Cynthia is a name that does not sound like others, so you have the flexibility for sibling names.

For female siblings, we like:

• Cassandra
• Catherine
• Dorothy
• Elizabeth
• Jessica
• Judith
• Julianna
• Matilda
• Margarete
• Margot
• Meridith
• Noviana
• Priya
• Riley

For male siblings, we like:

• Charles
• Christopher
• Davidson
• Emory
• Harrison
• Henry
• Julian
• Mason
• Oliver
• Otto
• Phillip
• Timothy
• William
• Wilson

If you like the flowery theme of Cynthia, you could go with names like Daisy, Clover, Rose, or Sage.

Famous People Named Cynthia

Many famous women were named Cynthia from the mid-1900s onward. Many of these women are actresses and sportswomen; this reaffirms the strength and resolve behind the name.

• Cynthia Baily: American model and actress.
• Cynthia Carr: American writer and cultural critic.
• Cynthia Carroll: Powerful British businesswoman.
• Cynthia “Cindy” Crawford: American supermodel.
• Cynthia Cruz: Contemporary American poet.
• Cynthia Geary: American actress.
• Cynthia Gregory: American prima ballerina.
• Cynthia Klitbo: Mexican actress.
• Cynthia Koh: Singaporean actress.
• Cynthia “Cyndi” Lauper: American singer.
• Cynthia McFadden: American TV journalist.
• Cynthia “Cindy” Morris Sherman: American photographer & director.
• Cynthia Ona Innis: American sculptor, visual artist, and painter.
• Cynthia Potter: American Olympic diver.
• Cynthia Nixon: American actress.
• Cynthia Rothrock: American martial artist and actress
• Cynthia Rowley: American fashion designer.
• Cynthia Rylant: American writer and librarian.
• Cynthia Tucker: Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer.
• Cynthia “Cindy” Williams: American actress.

Cynthia in Popular Culture

Characters named Cynthia have appeared in television and movies since the 1940s. Most notably, the 1947 American comedy-drama entitled “Cynthia” starred Elizabeth Taylor. Women characters with the name Cynthia are also featured in modern films like “First Wives Club” and the “Twilight” series.

In 1969, “The Brady Bunch” featured a young Cindy; in 1972, the Marvel Comic book series “Doctor Doom” introduced Cynthia Van Doom. In 1992, the animated series “Rugrats” featured the Cynthia doll.

The name Cynthia was a part of American pop culture for decades!

Cynthia FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the name Cynthia.