What does Cinderella mean and where does it come from?
Cinderella is derived from the French name 'Cendrillon', meaning 'little ash girl', referring to the character's origins in ashes. The name is famous from the fairy tale about a young girl who rises from hardship to royalty with the help of her fairy godmother. This story has its roots in various cu
Cultural significance
Cinderella has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in France-speaking communities, where it reflects values of little ash girl.
Peak popularity
Reached #1344 in 1894 — currently #15783 in the US.
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Related Reading
France-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Cinderella?
Cinderella works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Cinderella Leah
One syllable · timeless choice
Cinderella Quinn
One syllable · timeless choice
Cinderella Blair
One syllable · on the rise
Cinderella Ruth
One syllable · timeless choice
Cinderella Wren
One syllable · vintage charm
Cinderella Faith
One syllable · vintage charm
How popular is Cinderella right now?
Falling — down 5299 spots — currently #15783 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2024 | #15783 | 5 | ▼ down 5299 · -44% births |
| 2023 | #10484 | 9 | ▲ up 2037 · +29% births |
| 2022 | #12521 | 7 | ▲ up 3223 · +40% births |
| 2021 | #15744 | 5 | ▼ down 3429 · -37% births |
| 2010 | #12315 | 8 | ▼ down 1347 · -11% births |
| 2005 | #10968 | 9 | ▼ down 1065 |
| 2000 | #9903 | 9 | ▲ up 3154 · +80% births |
| 1990 | #13057 | 5 | ▼ down 2547 |
| 1980 | #10510 | 5 | ▼ down 5713 · -55% births |
| 1970 | #4797 | 11 | ▼ down 1509 · -27% births |
| 1965 | #3288 | 15 | ▲ up 689 · +36% births |
| 1960 | #3977 | 11 | ▼ down 973 · -27% births |
| 1955 | #3004 | 15 | ▼ down 721 · -21% births |
| 1950 | #2283 | 19 | ▲ up 692 · +90% births |
| 1945 | #2975 | 10 | — |
The story of Cinderella
Cinderella has been a beloved American name for over 130 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1894. With 882 total births recorded, Cinderella remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #2083 in 1900, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #10484 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Cinderella in 1894:
Cinderella by decade
Cinderella peaked in the 1890s. See all 1890s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1890s | 12 | |
| 1900s | 19 | |
| 1910s | 88 | |
| 1920s | 158 | |
| 1930s | 71 | |
| 1940s | 107 | |
| 1950s ★ | 162 | |
| 1960s | 99 | |
| 1970s | 31 | |
| 1980s | 22 | |
| 1990s | 27 | |
| 2000s | 52 | |
| 2010s | 34 | |
| 2020s | 5 | |
💎Cinderella has only 882 total recorded births since 1894 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Cinderella?
What names sound and feel like Cinderella?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Cinderella also consider these
Common questions about the name Cinderella
What does the name Cinderella mean?
Cinderella means "Little ash girl" — a name rooted in France tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Cinderella?
Cinderella is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Cinderella have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Cinderella?
Cinderella originates from France tradition. France names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Cinderella?
Cinderella is a four-syllable name pronounced sind-er-EL-uh. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Cinderella?
Cinderella pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar France heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.