I'm just looking for general thoughts on Sylvia, or even Sylvie.
I know that Sylvia probably seems a little dusty to some, but I think it's usable. Heck, in 1985, the year Golden Girls began, Sophia was ranked 236, and was given to eldest character, and now it's in the top 5. I'm not saying that Sylvia is the new Sophia, but I am saying that the qualities I like in Sophia are the same I like in Sylvia, except I like Sylvia more.
And what about Sylvie? Is Sylvie fresher? Or is it better as a nickname for Sylvia?
Also, do you prefer the spelling Sylvia or Silvia?
According to BehindTheName, Sylvia is a variant of Silvia, which is the feminine form of Silvius, but that Sylvia has been the most common spelling in English since the 19th century.
I prefer the spelling Sylvia. Sylvia as the given name and Sylvie as a nickname. I love the name, it's classic and beautiful. Definitely similar to Sophia in some ways but not as common.
I like Sylvia, not common. I think spelling it Silvia looks like saliva (just my first thought when I read it).
Exactly what I thought, too. Sylvia is good, Sylvie is fine but sounds a little pretentious to me unless you are French.
Do you feel like Sylvie is pretentious just as a formal name?
Or as a nickname to Sylvia as well?
Just as a formal name, I think because it seems like trying to put a "fancier" European name on an American kid. But I realize this is kind of a silly bias.
Sylvia Plath is maybe one of my favorite writers of all time. I love the name, but could never bring myself to use it for a daughter because of Plath's tragic life.
Sylvie has been one of my very favorite names for as long as I can remember! Might be best as a nickname though, and I definitely prefer the spelling Sylvia.
I like Sylvia, not common. I think spelling it Silvia looks like saliva (just my first thought when I read it).
Exactly what I thought, too. Sylvia is good, Sylvie is fine but sounds a little pretentious to me unless you are French.
Do you feel like Sylvie is pretentious just as a formal name?
Or as a nickname to Sylvia as well?
Just as a formal name, I think because it seems like trying to put a "fancier" European name on an American kid. But I realize this is kind of a silly bias.
Gotcha. I think I prefer Sylvie as a nickname anyway.
Sylvia Plath is maybe one of my favorite writers of all time. I love the name, but could never bring myself to use it for a daughter because of Plath's tragic life.
I've considered that.
Plath isn't the only association I have with Sylvia personally though, which is probably why I'm not as bothered.
That's a very fair point to make though. Thank you.
Sylvia Plath is maybe one of my favorite writers of all time. I love the name, but could never bring myself to use it for a daughter because of Plath's tragic life.
I've considered that.
Plath isn't the only association I have with Sylvia personally though, which is probably why I'm not as bothered.
That's a very fair point to make though. Thank you.
At least she made her kids a snack before sticking her head in the oven. That speaks volumes about the kind of woman she was even if she lost a battle with mental illness.
Sylvie would be a really cute nickname for Sylvia, which it has a very nice, classic feel to it without being overused. I have never even heard of Sylvia Plath, so no association there. The only Sylvia I know is a very graceful older lady. Personallu, I like Sylvia much better than Silvia...spelled the second way seems to be setting your daughter up for a lifetime of misspellings!
I love Sylvia. My daughter's name is Vera, so I obviously love old fashioned names. I tried to get my husband to agree to Sylvia, but he was not on board. I think Sylvia is prettier than Sylvie.
Married 10/4/2014 (10-4, good buddy!) Baby Boy #1 born 1/9/17 Baby Boy #2 EDD 11/4/18
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Sylvie would be a really cute nickname for Sylvia, which it has a very nice, classic feel to it without being overused. I have never even heard of Sylvia Plath, so no association there. The only Sylvia I know is a very graceful older lady. Personallu, I like Sylvia much better than Silvia...spelled the second way seems to be setting your daughter up for a lifetime of misspellings!
Yes, classic without being overused.
When we named our son Peter, that was part of the appeal. It's classic, recognizable, easy to spell, but not overused on children right now.
For what it's worth, I'm not even pregnant right now. We're considering having another child in the next couple of years, and we never really discussed girl names, so I'm mostly just having fun.
I love Sylvia. It's at the top of our list for pretty much the exact same reasons that you listed. I dislike the spelling Silvia because of saliva. I think Sylvie is better as a nn.
TTC #1: February 1, 2014 BFP #1: 2/21/14 EDD: 10/31/14MMC:discovered 3/31/14 (blighted ovum) D&C: 4/3/14 at 9w6d
I love Sylvie. I used to live in France and always found it to be a cute but smart, classy name. I also love Sylvia but I feel you. Everytime I've mentioned that name people look at me like I've just said Gladys, Betty or Dorothty.
Looks like I'm in the minority, but I love Sylvie - it was one of two names on my shortlist for a girl. Sylvia felt too old fashioned to me personally, but I only have positive associations with the name (and Plath... But it's a common enough name otherwise that she isn't my only association)
Re: Thoughts on Sylvia, or even Sylvie
Eta: I meant to quote Keri.
Do you feel like Sylvie is pretentious just as a formal name?
Or as a nickname to Sylvia as well?
to use it for a daughter because of Plath's tragic life.
Plath isn't the only association I have with Sylvia personally though, which is probably why I'm not as bothered.
That's a very fair point to make though. Thank you.
I have never even heard of Sylvia Plath, so no association there. The only Sylvia I know is a very graceful older lady.
Personallu, I like Sylvia much better than Silvia...spelled the second way seems to be setting your daughter up for a lifetime of misspellings!
Baby Boy #1 born 1/9/17
Baby Boy #2 EDD 11/4/18
Yes, classic without being overused.
When we named our son Peter, that was part of the appeal. It's classic, recognizable, easy to spell, but not overused on children right now.
For what it's worth, I'm not even pregnant right now. We're considering having another child in the next couple of years, and we never really discussed girl names, so I'm mostly just having fun.
TTC #1: February 1, 2014
BFP #1: 2/21/14 EDD: 10/31/14 MMC: discovered 3/31/14 (blighted ovum) D&C: 4/3/14 at 9w6d
BFP #2:12/18/14 EDD: 8/27/14 Beta #1 (16 DPO): 50 Beta #2 (18 DPO): 54 CP: 12/25/14 at 5w0d
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