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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sybil - due a comeback?

39 replies

Thatsnotmypolarbear · 11/08/2021 07:17

What do people think of Sybil? I quite like it, but perhaps it's a bit too Fawlty Towers! I like Billie as a nn too.

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Ikeameatballs · 11/08/2021 22:50

I like it.

Volterra · 11/08/2021 22:48

I am starting to get beyond FT now and was thinking about it trying to be objective recently as seem to have a lot of people called Sybilla on my family tree. I think I like it.

yikesanotherbooboo · 11/08/2021 08:38

I think it is lovely and definitely current. The names from the flapper age are very much with us and have a 'cooler' air than the maid's names or fussier names of the Victorian era.

ZednotZee · 11/08/2021 08:04

I'm too young for the FT reference and I'm well in to my thirties so I wouldn't let it bother you.

Its a lovely name, due a come back.

freelions · 11/08/2021 08:01

I think it's definitely due a comeback and would be surprised if it hasn't already started

It has a similar vibe to Nancy, Nelly, Betty, Elsie etc which are all back with a vengeance

It does make me think of Fawlty Towers but that wouldn't be an issue for the generation currently having babies

Ellmau · 11/08/2021 07:57

Still a bit too Fawlty.

I wonder the Sibyl spelling might look better?

Or Sybilla/Sibylla if you want Billie as a nn, it seems a more natural shortening.

user1493494961 · 11/08/2021 07:51

Not a lovely name.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 11/08/2021 07:47

One of my cats is called Sybil (and her brother is Basil). Not sure about it as a baby name though.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 11/08/2021 07:39

I'm too young for faulty towers really, but its a lovley name!

Bryonyshcmyony · 11/08/2021 07:39

Doesn't it mean snake or serpent or something? I remember being very put off by the meaning

PrimeraVez · 11/08/2021 07:37

I'm not in the UK but in a country with big western expat population, I know of 3 little Sybils (all 3 and under) I considered it for DC3 as well (I was inspired by the Downton Abbey character!)

I think it's lovely!

urbanbuddha · 11/08/2021 07:35

No to Sybil, yes to Billie.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 11/08/2021 07:34

Too early, I think.

give another 5 years or so.

BreakfastOfWaffles · 11/08/2021 07:31

I agree that the Fawlty Towers generation probably couldn't get past that but the peers of a child born now probably less so. It seems to be one of those old names that is showing no signs of a comeback though, a bit like Gladys or Eileen.