Hi Swistle!
We’re getting down to the wire with my second child, who is due in a month. If it’s a girl, she will be June. If it’s a boy, we had settled on Calvin (and he would go by Cal). I can’t remember who threw this wrench in the wheel, but either my husband or I remembered the name Cy.
We both love it. The only thing I can’t figure out is: is Cy an actual name? I looked up Cy Young and Cy Twombly, neither of whom were actually named Cy or anything like it.
We don’t want to use Cyrus. We like Cy, as is. Is it a name? Will having a 2-letter name cause problems on forms? We would really appreciate your/your readers help!
Thank you so much,
Marie
Let’s see what the Social Security Administration says. Their 2019 baby name data has been postponed (ostensibly because of the pandemic but now it’s getting weird), but we have 2018 and earlier. In 2018, the name Cy was given to 65 new baby boys. I went back five years just to check in: 99 new baby boys named Cy in 2013. Well, let’s go back FIFTY years: 18 new baby boys named Cy in 1968. One hundred years: 11 new baby boys named Cy in 1918.
So it hasn’t been in hearty usage, but it’s been around long enough that I think we can safely say that yes, it is used as a name in the United States. And it doesn’t seem as if a two-letter name would be a problem on forms, though perhaps people with two-letter-name experience (Ty, Jo, Bo) could weigh in on this.
Because it sounds like the word “sigh,” I would double-check any final name choice for unintentional wordplay. I would also double-check for sound combinations with the surname: Cy + K___ (or hard C) sounding like sike/psych, Cy + Ber____/Bur____ bringing cyber to mind, and so on.
One more possibility to consider: you mention you don’t like Cyrus, but do you like Simon or Silas, with the nickname Si/Sy?
I had a student named Quincy who went by Cy :)
I went to school with a boy named Seigh, pronounced like Sigh, which I assume is how you’re pronouncing Cy. Maybe something like that is an option?
(I think there’s an Indian name with a similar pronunciation and spelling but this kid was white so idk where or why they chose the name)
From this list it looks like it’s a name – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cy_(given_name) but most often used as a nickname.
I checked and there’s Cyan as another name option. It could give that “complete” feel to the name Cy.
Or you could do Calvin York for first and middle and use Cy as a nickname based on initials.
FWIW, I would potentially pronounce Cyan closer to KEE-an (more of an Irish pronunciation). Sigh-an is certainly a legit pronunciation (it’s a color, isn’t it? though maybe that’s sigh-AN) but it wouldn’t be my first inclination.
Triple echoing the love for Calvin Y___ to give you Cy as a nickname while still keeping Calvin as the first name, but my naming style leans heavily toward full names with nicknames (e.g. Elizabeth, nn Liz, Lizzie, Beth, etc.) vs. names with no nickname potential, and I know that’s not true for everyone.
I know a Cy in real life! (Just Cy – not a nickname!) He’s probably college-aged now?
Cyprus — as in the Mediterranean island republic. This name gives you the long i sound that I think you’re looking for.
Cyren — sounds like siren, also the name of an Internet technology security company.
The following names start with Cy, but have a short i sound rather than a long i, so they work visually.
Cyprian — from the island of Cyprus
Cyrano — Cyrano de Bergerac was a play written in 1897, based on an actual person.
Cyril — a 5th century Patriarch of Alexandria
Cy is the cardinal mascot of the University of Iowa sports teams, even though the teams are referred to as the Cyclones. You likely don’t want to name your child Cyclone, but it does lead to the nickname Cy.
http://www.cyclonelife.net/2013/10/why-is-cy-a-cardinal-if-we-are-the-cyclones/
I love, absolutely love the sound of the name Cyril. That is, assuming it’s pronounced as I’ve heard it, “SEER-uhl.” I think Cy, pronounced SIGH, would work great as a nickname. I wouldn’t think changing the vowel sound for the nickname would be a problem.
I just looked it up on two pronunciation sites, and one confirmed SEER-uhl, but the other said “SIGH-ruhl.” Which I like much less, even though that would keep the same vowel sound in the nickname.
Another possible longer name would be Josiah. I knew a Josiah who was called “SIGH-uh,” spelled Siah. Actually, even though the sound of Cy would be in the name, but I’m now thinking Cy would be a stretch for Josiah. Changing the initial letter (Josiah, nn Cy) seems more a stretch to me than changing the vowel sound (Cyril, nn Cy).
I grew up with a (just) Cy who is now 35ish, so it’s always seemed like a name to me.
Most people don’t know that Cy Young’s name is Denton True, they just think it’s Cy. That also helps, imo.
Maybe Cyril would get you the nickname Cy?
I think Cy is known enough that people will read it as a “real name” even though it is technically a nickname. I don’t see that as being a big deal, lots of names fit into this category.
Personally, I don’t see why a 2 letter name would be an issue for forms. But if you are worried about it, or would just prefer a longer given name so he has options later, there are lots of ways to get to Cy as a nickname that don’t involve Cyrus. I love the suggestions of Simon or Silas with the nickname Si. I also rather like the previous post that suggestion Cyprus, though that seems like it may not be quite your style.
I will second the suggestion of Calvin + a Y middle name. Or heck, just Calvin Any-middle with Cy as a nickname. Cy Young’s give name was Denton-so why not?
I have a 2 letter LAST name, and that does occasionally give me some trouble. Most specifically at CVS when I am trying to pick up a prescription – their database apparently only starts searching after 3 letters are entered (…or something…??) so I never show up in their system when they search. Ever. Even when they’re standing there holding my prescription in their hand. So I mean, not like a life-changingly bad thing, but it always takes about 20 minutes and a manager override to check me out at CVS :D
Also: I suspect that this is 99% only an issue one would have with a last name, not a first name.
In summary, as someone with a 2 letter name, albeit a last name: nothing so problematic involved that I would specifically avoid a 2 letter name!
Maybe consider using Calvin with a Y middle name. Calvin Yates called Cy, for example, would allow you to use both of the names you love! That would also give your son options for when he’s older if he wants a longer name. I do typically think Cy will be assumed to be a nickname.
Love it!
My son’s name is Cy – not short for anything. He’s 10 now, and we have always loved it. I haven’t seen any issues with it at all!
I love it! It’s cool. Do what makes you happy.
For what it’s worth, Zoe Saldaña has a son named Cy, and I never found that strange or wondered if it was short for something else!
As I was reading this the TV show playing in the background just called someone Cyril, so I feel I need to second (third? fourth?) that suggestion. I am not a fan of Cyrus either but I like Cyril and Cy definitely works as a nickname.
I think Cy can also just stand alone, though.
We have a Silas nn Si and I love both options.
I knew a Ty growing up and it didn’t seem to make any problems. I think it is fine! I don’t see it as different from any other one syllable names (I have two of those). Go for it if you love it and it is your style.
My 8yo daughters have a classmate named Cy. Just Cy. I like it!
I also like the suggestion of Calvin Y-middle name nickname Cy too.
One of my daughters is named June, so I think you gave excellent naming taste!
I know a little boy named Cypress, who sometimes goes by Cy. I think Cy works just fine on its own, though!
My grandfather was Simon, but exclusive called Si.
I met a little girl named Cy once (she’d be in her early teens now). I always wondered if it was short for something.
I wouldn’t think it was too strange to meet someome named just Cy. FWIW, I totally love the name Calvin (and June).
Before even reading Swistle’s answer I thought Cy is absolutely a name. Glad to see that Swistle’s research confirmed my instinct.
I might assume a Cy’s full name is Cyrus, but it would be in the same way that I assume someone named Sam has the full name of Samuel but it never goes beyond a fleeting thought and I only address them as Sam. I think the same would go for a Cy. Plus it’s just a cool name. I say go for it!
I knew a Cyril called Cy who was in preK (would be 20ish now). I think that works well, and Calvin Y___ nicknamed Cy also works well, and Cy alone is fine too.
Another person who knows a Cy in real life. He’s about 3 now? So definitely a real name!
I know of a Josiah who goes by Si, spelled Si, but I don’t see why you couldn’t change it to Cy. That makes the pronunciation clearer than Si anyway. There’s also SI Newhouse, the Condé Nast media mogul. His name is Samuel Irving, but he exclusively went by SI, pronounced like Cy. I think standalone Cy is very usable and familiar enough. I know of a few people named Ty and Kai. Not sure how Cy is much different.
Not sure if others have stated this, but Sai is a “legitimate” given name in India and it’s basically pronounced like Cy. I”m sure people IN India may have an added accent, but the way my Indian-American family has always pronounced it is like Cy.
My grandmother’s name is Cyrilla Mary (pronounced Sir-illa), after her mother, Cyrilla Henrietta; and though her parents called her “Rilla Mary” she always, always, always went by Cy (pronounced sigh). I have never heard of another with her/their name. And though she told me “it’s a difficult name” I still plan on using it as a middle if I have a daughter.
All that said! I absolutely think Cy is a Name. A dear friend’s son is named Cyrus and goes by Cy, and that friend has said frequently he wishes they had just gone with Cy. I’m seeing it pop up more in recent years.