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Baby names

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Help me choose the best spelling for “Sydney”!

37 replies

LouisaJoanne · 17/09/2025 18:35

Hi everyone,

I know you’re probably not going to like what I’m about to say, but I’m completely in love with the name Sydney for a girl and I’m a bit stuck on the spelling. I’ve made a little poll with some options I’ve seen floating around: Sydney, Sydnie, Sydni, Cydney, and Cidnie.

I’m leaning more towards Sydnie, as I love the name but don’t really want the obvious link to the Australian city. I also knew someone with that spelling growing up, so it’s the only one that doesn’t feel too far-fetched… or am I just overthinking this?

Just to be honest, Cydney and Cidnie are probably too “out there” for me, I don’t think the ‘C’ really works with this name at all but I included them to see what other people might think and to get some inspiration.

I’m also really loving Sophie/Sophia as a middle name, but I’ve just realised that would give her SS initials. Do you have any favourite middle name ideas that would flow nicely?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have a favourite spelling? Any experiences with these spellings (good or bad!)? Or any other suggestions I might not have thought of?

Thanks so much in advance!

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canyouseemyhousefromhere · 18/09/2025 18:09

Whateverwillwedonow · 18/09/2025 06:52

Sidney is the only way to get away from the Australia connection while not being a twat to your child.

That’s the male spelling.

childofthe607080s · 18/09/2025 12:50

sydnie may be hard for people with reading difficulties- I saw Cindy

bigwhitedog · 18/09/2025 12:49

This is hilarious. I vote for Cidknee.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 18/09/2025 12:46

My nephew is Sid, as they figured nobody would call him Sidney. I always favoured Cyd for a girl, but that's because of the dancer / actress Cyd Charise. Maybe drop the second syllable.

Jessbow · 18/09/2025 12:19

Sy for a gitl
Si for a boy

Spelled with a C makes me think ''why didn't they spell it with an S? Maybe you pronunce the C and a ''Cuh'' sound

''hello Kidney''

LilyCanna · 18/09/2025 07:09

Whateverwillwedonow · 18/09/2025 06:52

Sidney is the only way to get away from the Australia connection while not being a twat to your child.

Sidney with an i is very definitely a boys name!

Whateverwillwedonow · 18/09/2025 06:52

Sidney is the only way to get away from the Australia connection while not being a twat to your child.

Bobnobob · 18/09/2025 06:30

i love it! Sydney is my preference… like Sydney Bristow

Needmorelego · 17/09/2025 23:48

I'm another that generally thinks Sidney for boys, Sydney for girls.
Don't over complicate spelling.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 17/09/2025 23:38

Don't muck around with spelling. You'll get judged for it and you'll just make it harder for your child. They'll be forever having to spell their name out. For their whole life.

MirandaBlu · 17/09/2025 23:23

Sydney (leans more toward being a place name) or Sidney (leans more toward being a family surname) are both nice; either is OK for either sex. Purely subjectively, I prefer Sydney.

SkaneTos · 17/09/2025 23:12

Great name.
Sydney or Sidney.

No87 · 17/09/2025 19:07

Sydney or Sidney are the only two ways I've seen it spelt, anything else looks like you're trying to be unique for the sake off it. Either way I dont think you're getting away from the connection to the city.

Londonmummy66 · 17/09/2025 19:04

All the Sidonies I know pronounce it Sidney and most call themselves Sid.

softlyfallsthesnow · 17/09/2025 19:04

Cidnie looks suspiciously like kidney to me.
Sydney used to be a male name. What happened?

hyggetyggedotorg · 17/09/2025 19:04

Sydney for a girl. Sidney for a boy.

Anything else just looks illiterate - sorry!

medievalpenny · 17/09/2025 19:02

If you use the C options you'll get people pronouncing it as a K sound. And probably mangling the rest of the sounds because they won't recognise how it's supposed to sound. I'm fairly relaxed about spelling variants but in this case I think they're both terrible and asking for trouble!

As others have said, most of the use of her name will be verbal so if you have an issue with the connection to the city you need to choose a different name.

2chocolateoranges · 17/09/2025 19:02

Just spell it the traditional way or you and your dd will spend a lifetime correcting people.

Sydney is the only normal way to spell it the others look odd (and I love a name ending in “ie” but not for Sydney.

GripGetter · 17/09/2025 19:02

SwedishEdith · 17/09/2025 18:42

That's a completely different name.

It is. It's of French origin. Love it, very elegant.

purpleme12 · 17/09/2025 18:59

It needs to be Sydney

PrayForMyBum · 17/09/2025 18:58

Sidonie is at least an actual (French) girls’ name - I love it

OnTheRoof · 17/09/2025 18:57

Sydney. The others are all irredeemably awful. Don't do that to her.

HausofHolbein · 17/09/2025 18:56

How about Sydneigh?

(#tragedeigh)

Emanwenym · 17/09/2025 18:56

Sidonie or Sydney

BlueSkySunshineDay · 17/09/2025 18:54

Just stop already!

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