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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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Noglitterallowed · 26/01/2026 20:42

Both lovely names- I know 4 josies all my age (late 30’s) and 2 Sylvies both little girls . Don’t let other people dictate . I have 2 daughter who both have names that people have commented on but looking into it are both “old lady names” and it’s fine x

MrsPositivity1 · 26/01/2026 19:34

I love it

StickySeason · 26/01/2026 19:05

I think Sylvie is such a sweet name.

c0uldibeanymoretired · 26/01/2026 19:03

I really like the name, the only reason I’d think it’s “old lady” is because it’s my nans name 😂
If I had a daughter I’d put it as her middle name as a dedication

FettleOfKish · 26/01/2026 18:55

I like both Sylvie and Sylvia. I have a great aunt Sylvia so undoubtedly is an ‘old lady’ name but due a revival and it was on our list if DS had been a girl.

thornbury · 26/01/2026 18:53

I know a Sylvie in her early 40s but she's not from UK. I love the name.

amy480 · 26/01/2026 18:28

The only Sylvie (full name Sylvia) I have known is in her 90s so for me it’s very much old lady because of that association (likewise the name Mabel!) but it’s often suggested on here and not unusual. Sylvie is pretty sounding and if you love it go for it, most younger people won’t bat an eyelid at her name and consider it old lady, it’s a generational thing - my parents are in their 70s and can’t believe when I tell them what’s popular now!

Lifelover16 · 26/01/2026 18:06

I think Sylvie is beautiful

starryeyed19 · 26/01/2026 17:56

Sylvie makes me think French, not old. I love it!

savemetoo · 26/01/2026 17:56

I think Sylvie is must prettier than Josie. Sylvia is old ladyish to my ear but for some reason Sylvie seems really chic. I really like it. I thought you were going to say Nora which i think is awfully dull and old ladyish.

PardonMe3 · 26/01/2026 17:50

I don't like the together Sylvie Josie. It's to much ie. I think Josephine Sylvie. You could do a nod to the grandmothers without using their actual ful names like Jovie.

ETA: I dont think they are too old lady at all.

Knitterofcrap · 26/01/2026 17:45

I love it. I used to work with a beautiful girl called Sylvie.

Mumofgirls2017 · 26/01/2026 17:37

I don’t think it’s too old-lady ish at all. I know one who’s about 12 and it suits her really well. Sylvia is maybe a bit older sounding I suppose but Sylvie sounds fresh to me.

Namingbaba · 26/01/2026 17:33

I like it. It’s sometimes a generational thing and people not aware of name trends. My mum thinks Violet is an old lady name and that it would be weird to use it for a baby, not aware that it’s in the top 100 again and not unusual anymore.

zurigo · 26/01/2026 16:43

Sylvie is nice, not old ladyish. There are some horrible old lady names that have made a (completely inexplicable to me) comeback, but Sylvie is fine!

spiderlight · 26/01/2026 16:38

It's beautiful, and not old-ladyish at all to me. It's got a lovely fresh elegance to it. Sylvia is much more dated. If you and her big sister love it, go for it!

Josie is cool too. It's my late 20s goddaughter's middle name. People will assume it's short for Josephine though.

Mizztikle · 26/01/2026 16:17

Sylvia is definitely old fashioned, it makes me thing of blue rinses, but Sylvie is cute and would fit a baby.

WMW · 26/01/2026 16:06

But also OP, your mistake was discussing possible names with your DC. Worse than a MIL imo 😆

If they don't like it, they'll let you know. If they do like it, they'll box you in.

statetrooperstacey · 26/01/2026 15:58

Doesn’t matter, old lady chic is very cool in t he naming of children, names cycle generationally don’t they. Every other kid is currently called Margot or ivy so no , sylvie is lovely.

Notellinganyone · 26/01/2026 15:38

I love Sylvie. I’m a teacher and have taught a few in recent years, I don’t think it’s old lady -ish at all.

Badacrowe · 26/01/2026 15:13

Goactually · 26/01/2026 14:59

I prefer Josie .

Love Josie but not as much as Jo

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 26/01/2026 15:03

Unique doesn’t mean “slightly unusual”. It means the only one. Unless you call your child Uyghurf or 31a56 it won’t be unique.

Fauchon · 26/01/2026 15:00

Sylvie is lovely and timeless. Choose the name you want for your baby.

agirlandherdog1234 · 26/01/2026 14:59

It isn't for me, but, screw what everybody else thinks! People are always going to have an opinion on every name in the world, and if you love it, that's all that matters imo :)

Goactually · 26/01/2026 14:59

I prefer Josie .

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