indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Usage French (Archaic), French (African, Rare), French (Quebec, Archaic), English (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
Pronounced Pron. AN-SEEL(French, Quebec French) an-SEEL(African French) ahn-SEEL-lə(Dutch) ahn-SEEL(Dutch) [key]
Other Forms FormsAnchilla, Ancil, Ancilia, Ancillia
Meaning & History
French form of Ancilla, which has also been used in non-francophone countries over time. Also compare Ancelle.The name has always been extremely rare in the French-speaking world, which is probably because the association with the French word ancille "maidservant, handmaid" is too close. It appears that (where the francophone world is concerned) the name is not in use in France itself these days, but predominantly in African countries where French is one of the official national languages, such as Burundi and Rwanda.