Cindy is the diminutive form of Cynthia and according to Wikipedia, Cynthia was one of the names of the moon goddess. BabyNamesWorld.com also has Cindy being the pet name of Lucinda, which is Spanish for light. The name Cindy is only used in English-speaking nations and is most popular in England and North America. Being a diminutive name Cindy is often seen as informal or quite intimate if used as a pet name, or nickname. Regardless of it’s origins Cindy is popularly regarded as an especially feminine name. BehindtheName.com suggests that society sees the name Cindy as youthful and delicate. The name also suggests someone playful and child-like, someone sweet-natured and mild mannered. Perhaps this image is reinforced by the two most well-known fictional Cindy’s in modern culture.

The first being Seuss’s Cindy Lou Who, the most infamous Who down in Whoville. This little Cindy catches the awful Grinch red-handed as he steals Christmas from the unlucky little town known as Whoville. This Cindy Lou Who is originally and consistently depicted as having huge, innocent blue eyes, wisps of blonde hair crowned by two pretty ribbons. She sweetly and innocently asks the Grinch where he’s taking their Christmas tree. He easily deceives her with warm words and sends her off to bed. This image gives the name Cindy it’s endearing quality that implies naivety.

The second most well-known Cindy’s in popular culture is again a fictional character, one of many sisters, Cindy Brady from the delightfully beloved TV series Brady Bunch. The youngest of the six siblings, Cindy Brady is depicted by a child actor with big, blue eyes, golden curls again crowned by two pretty ribbons. The similarities between these two popular Cindy’s reveals a deeper look at how society views the name Cindy. It is clear that the name is a feminine one of youth as is obviously suggested with both characters ages and their physical appearance. This makes one think that Cindy’s are to be petted, loved, adored, doted on. It is a pretty name for a pretty girl.

It is also a name with expectations. As it is solidly feminine, it is not hard to see that the name Cindy could have some traditional feminine qualities imposed upon women with this name. Kabalarians.com claim that the name Cindy comes with some inherited personality traits such as being impressionable and receptive with a desire to help others. They say that Cindy’s long for praise and affection. This seems that yet again the name Cindy is attached to an innocent nature, an inquisitive nature, happy smiles and a loving heart, not unlike one of a child’s.

BehindtheName.com states that the name Cynthia, and it’s diminutive form Cindy, although recognizable and common today, was not used as a given name until the Renaissance, and it did not become common in the English-speaking world until the 19th century. BabyNameWizard.com claims the name Cindy was the most popular in the 1960’s and it’s use has declined significantly since then.

Although it’s origins are divided, the name Cindy is clearly one given to an adored daughter. The name itself is associated with inexperience, innocence, impressionability. It conjures up images of the joys of a golden youth. It speaks of curiosity, courtesy and cleverness. The name Cindy is usually given to fictional characters that are young, blonde and are prettily dressed. Perhaps this is due to our subconscious recognizing that Cindy is short for Lucinda, which in Spanish, means light. We, as society, accept the light in the name Cindy and look for and expect that light in the Cindy’s that we know. Overall, the name Cindy is accepted as a familiar, if not common, feminine name. The name Cindy cannot be said without a smile and this alone determines the truth that the name Cindy is one of happiness and joy.