Interesting. In the legend of the rape of the Sabine women it's short first "a" (like "bang") and then "bine" to rhyme with "mine".

I have never met a Cicely who wasn't "Si" (short "i" like "bit") then "silly".

My next door neighbour in Australia was Bertha Dotch. Yes she was. Short but powerful. First syllable like "birth", final "a" short and almost un-sounded.