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Baby names

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Original poster

Baby girl name - too old ladyish?

112 replies

andres42 · 26/01/2026 13:31

Hi all,

currently pregnant with my second, and I originally really loved the name Sylvie. I thought it was quite unique and sweet. Everyone now keeps telling me it's an old lady name... which is starting to put me off a bit!

My daughter has now absolutely decided that the baby is called Sylvie, even if we offer alternatives. So I guess it's stuck now? I just don't want to name my baby something that people will think is awful! Especially as the middle names will be quite old fashioned too (both the babies Great Grandmothers names).

The other name I really loved was Josie.

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FuckRealityBringMeABook · 13/02/2026 10:13

go with Sylviane.

KayEmAy · 02/02/2026 19:49

I prefer Josie to Sylvie

andres42 · 30/01/2026 06:17

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Sparklesandspandexgallore · 30/01/2026 05:25

I really like Sylvia. I had a relative with this name.
Sylvie is fine.
Names come in and out if fashion,
Personally I don’t like Olive or Nora and associate both as awful, old fashioned names but they are very popular.
It’s personal choice after all.

Poodlelove · 30/01/2026 01:20

It's a beautiful name.

User0311 · 27/01/2026 19:38

I love that name 🥰

MisiSam · 27/01/2026 19:22

My friend has a little baby called Sylvie. It really suits her and I think it's adorable

AndresyFiorella · 27/01/2026 18:48

It's very on trend. All the fashionable names are what were considered old lady names 20 years ago. I think it's lovely, but won't be unique if that is important to you.

ridl14 · 27/01/2026 17:21

I love Sylvie! Beautiful. For context I know girls called Edith, Dorothea, Martha, I don't think Sylvie is too dated at all

Irren · 27/01/2026 17:18

I love Sylvie.

PorridgeAndSyrup · 27/01/2026 17:17

All the old lady names are coming back into fashion. My little girl goes to nursery with an Ada, an Edna, an Albert, an Evelyn, an Edith… all the “old lady” names were once little girls’ names. Call them classic and it sounds better. I love Josie too.

Gmary22 · 27/01/2026 16:37

Sylvie is a lovley name, ignore the people and a word from the wise, NEVER tell anyone your name ideas. People will always have an opinion and either good or bad, it will affect how you feel about a name. Just choose a name you love. My cat is called Josie (Josianne), I wanted to save this for a baby but we didn't in the end.

Pyjamatimenow · 27/01/2026 12:36

I think It’s a pretty name. Prefer it to Josie. Go for it if you like it. From experience I wouldn’t talk to people before the baby’s born about names. People tend to be rather too free in their opinions in that period.

peachbananas · 27/01/2026 12:33

I love it!

sesquipedalophobia · 27/01/2026 12:21

I like Sylvie!

It's it's not an old lady name at all and is actually on the ascent in the UK.

Sylvia however, I never liked, but Sylvie is lovely for today, and for when your DD is grown up too!

ChocoChocoLatte · 27/01/2026 11:26

It’s a beaut of a name, great choice. I wanted it but DH said no, I would have used Sylvanna nn Sylvie

Skybluepinky · 27/01/2026 11:22

Definitely not unique if that’s what you are going for but if you like it go for it.

Thegoldenoriole · 27/01/2026 08:10

andres42 · 26/01/2026 13:31

Hi all,

currently pregnant with my second, and I originally really loved the name Sylvie. I thought it was quite unique and sweet. Everyone now keeps telling me it's an old lady name... which is starting to put me off a bit!

My daughter has now absolutely decided that the baby is called Sylvie, even if we offer alternatives. So I guess it's stuck now? I just don't want to name my baby something that people will think is awful! Especially as the middle names will be quite old fashioned too (both the babies Great Grandmothers names).

The other name I really loved was Josie.

I have a 3yo Sylvia - I thought then she would have the option of being Sylvie or Sylvia.

I’m surprised people think it’s common - I’m a primary school teacher and now have a second child so spend a lot of time around toddler and baby groups, soft play etc and have never met another small one! It’s not in the top 100 names either.

But don’t worry about it being an old lady name - a typical group of toddlers sounds like an old
people’s home these days - the other day Sylvia was hanging out with Mabel, Florence and Joan!

Sofado · 27/01/2026 04:25

Lots of Sylvies around where I am. It’s nice enough but I prefer Sylvia.

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 27/01/2026 03:59

@OP Sylvie is sweet, and unusual, I think it would be a lovely name! Josie/ Josephine I find quite boring. We have three in my daughter's reception year so it seems to be having a moment. It feels like the new Sarah 😂

MissedItByThisMuch · 27/01/2026 03:01

Love Sylvie!

I think in France it’s considered not so much “old lady” as dated in a Debbie/Karen/Christine kind of way. Doesn’t come across that way here though ime

DiscoBeat · 27/01/2026 02:18

I think it's a beautiful name, and timeless

LivingTheDreamish · 27/01/2026 02:15

Sylvie is very nice! Also like Josie if short for Josephine.

ArcticBear · 27/01/2026 00:29

I think Sylvia is old lady, but I’ve always loved Sylvie, it’s gorgeous and a different vibe entirely.
Don’t like Josie. It’s dull in comparison.

EconomyClassRockstar · 27/01/2026 00:24

Sylvie is a beautiful name but it's getting increasingly popular because of Emily in Paris.

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