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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is Sheila cute or too old fashioned?

80 replies

octonuddle · 28/01/2017 14:50

Was my lovely mum's name and would love to use it but wonder if it is too marmite a name? Any thoughts?

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MitzyLeFrouf · 29/01/2017 03:59

'fourteen years ago i really wanted to call my baby "florence" but at the time it would have made her quite unusual. it was to honour a very special maiden great aunt. sadly i bottled it. really really regret it now.'

Exactly! Would have sounded very old fashioned to most people (but lovely to you) 14 years ago but you'd have been just a few years ahead of the Florence trend.

MitzyLeFrouf · 29/01/2017 03:56

I do prefer the Síle spelling, but obv. that would be unusual for a non Irish baby.

MitzyLeFrouf · 29/01/2017 03:55

'What is cute for your 3.5kg bundle of joy may not be cute in 5, 10, 15 years time.'

And likewise, what's currently considered a great name for a 15 year old might be deemed terribly naff in 15 years time. Whereas Sheila will probably be coming back into fashion.

PollyCazaletWannabe · 29/01/2017 03:30

It has a lovely sound. Use it OP :)

PenelopeFlintstone · 29/01/2017 02:39

I thought of Shayla as a modern version of Sheila. I love the sound of it, almost called my daughter Layla. I've just checked and it's not made up - it's very old Gaelic and also Hebrew.

Gaelach · 29/01/2017 01:38

Sheila in Irish is Síle, pronounced the same. Love the name!

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 29/01/2017 01:37

Dol. A 5 year old cubby cheeked Sheila would be adorable and a teenage Sheila in 13 years down the line would be beyond cool.

pieceofpurplesky · 29/01/2017 01:29

I am a teacher. I teach children with many different names. I would see Sheila and think 'different' and that would be it.
Use it, it is beautiful and a lovely way to honour your mum

Katielou75 · 29/01/2017 01:08

What about Sheena?

ScarletSienna · 29/01/2017 00:40

I think lovely as a middle name too.

KayTee87 · 28/01/2017 23:53

Makes me think of 'Sheila's wheels' Blush

TrickyBiscuits · 28/01/2017 23:49

I think it's lovely Smile

Dolwar · 28/01/2017 22:53

Every Sheila I know is in their 60s so I really think of it as an old person's name sorry.

Remember you are NOT naming a BABY Sheila. You are naming a child, a teenager, an adult. What is cute for your 3.5kg bundle of joy may not be cute in 5, 10, 15 years time.

Crunchymum · 28/01/2017 22:39

Have a Sheila in DC1 class and I freaking love it.

In think it's a fab name.

pootlepootle · 28/01/2017 22:34

fourteen years ago i really wanted to call my baby "florence" but at the time it would have made her quite unusual. it was to honour a very special maiden great aunt. sadly i bottled it. really really regret it now. it would have bee perfect and far better than the name we gave her.

heateallthebuns · 28/01/2017 22:32

How about sile instead? It's still pronounced the same but a bit more modern.

OhHolyFuck · 28/01/2017 22:32

I think a little baby Sheila sounds lovely, someone has to be a trendsetter Wink

deste · 28/01/2017 22:30

What about Leila or Shelley? Both close.

Dontrocktheboat · 28/01/2017 22:24

It does sound very middle aged , but may be v cool in twenty years time. I would either alter it a little as suggested or use as a middle name.

bookworm14 · 28/01/2017 20:14

It's one of my middle names, after my aunt. I'd really like to meet a baby Sheila. I say go for it!

CaoNiMa · 28/01/2017 20:12

It's a really pretty name. I think you should go for it!

Pluto30 · 28/01/2017 19:29

I think it's awful, but I'm also Australian.

I'd put it in the middle name spot.

LuxuryWoman2017 · 28/01/2017 19:18

It is very unfashionable and it's a pity because my first reaction was 'Sheila, God no' but actually it looks nice as a written name and is phonetically pleasing. So I'm on the fence which is unhelpful. I would be taken aback if a friend named her baby Sheila tbh.

JournosAreLazy · 28/01/2017 19:17

I would use Sheila as the middle name tbh b

DramaAlpaca · 28/01/2017 19:11

It's not a name I like, but it would be a lovely tribute to your mum.