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Baby names

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

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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goldtrap · 26/01/2026 13:45

It's sweet and pretty. I think it's nicer than Josie and sounds more of a complete name, whereas Josie sounds like it's short for something.

Sylvia sounds more old fashioned (only because I know a couple of older Sylvias).

RedStars · 26/01/2026 13:43

It's not unique at all, but it's nice, and no, not all old ladyish. I mean, I'd be surprised if it started being used in any numbers in the UK long enough ago for those baby girls to be old yet.

Maybeitllneverhappen · 26/01/2026 13:42

Edna is an old lady name. Sylvie is nice.

ObladiObladah · 26/01/2026 13:39

All the Sylvie’s I’ve known are French - it is a beautiful name when spoken with a french accent and not too much emphasis on the first syllable

Numberwang66 · 26/01/2026 13:38

Sylvia / Sylvie is a lovely sweet name!

Do whatever you like, don't listen to others

HelenaWilson · 26/01/2026 13:38

I prefer Sylvia. Sylvie/Sylvia has a nice meaning. It's from the Latin 'silva' meaning woodland or forest.

Lots of 'old lady' names have become popular again, so I wouldn't worry about that.

CurlewKate · 26/01/2026 13:37

I would go for Sylvia-shortened to Sylvie. I think it’s lovely.

MerryGuide · 26/01/2026 13:37

I love it, there's a Sylvia in my family tree so we've often said we'd use Sylvie for a girl. Every name is an old lady name now so she'll fit right in! I think its a nice modern twist on it personally though.

MotherJessAndKittens · 26/01/2026 13:36

I think Sylvie is lovely. Makes me think of a fairy like child. I don’t think it’s old fashioned though Sylvia is.

Hotdoughnut · 26/01/2026 13:36

I know 3 Sylvie's at our childrens' junior school, definitely not unique! I know 1 Josie.
Choose what you love, nobody else's opinion matters. If we all loved the same names we'd have serious identification problems!

tinytinyviolin · 26/01/2026 13:33

I think Sylvie is lovely.

takingthepissoutofme · 26/01/2026 13:33

Not a fan, reminds me of Sylvia.