Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Sylvia or Celia?

39 replies

Firebird83 · 17/04/2026 17:48

Which do you prefer?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LilyLemonade · 17/04/2026 19:08

They are both pretty and retro. I prefer Celia, I think it's very elegant.

I also like Anthea in the same vein.

WearyLady · 17/04/2026 18:14

Celia without a doubt. Also Cecilia or Cecily. I don’t like Sylvia and Silvia is even worse. Sylvie, I could tolerate.

HoraceCope · 17/04/2026 18:14

there is a song about Sylvia
and a song about Cecelia
and poem to Celia

WaltzingWaters · 17/04/2026 18:12

I prefer Cecilia.

NamingNoNames · 17/04/2026 18:11

Neither but Celia is not as bad as Sylvia.
The Italian name is Silvia and it's better than Sylvia.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 17/04/2026 18:10

Sylvie or Cecily.

TicketyBoo11 · 17/04/2026 18:09

What about Sylvie? Sylvie is one of my favourite literary/film characters from Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. She is a beautiful, free spirited woman and it’s a beautiful name.

greglet · 17/04/2026 17:59

Sylvia (Silvia also a nice spelling).

NovemberMorn · 17/04/2026 17:56

Sylvia. I always picture a beautiful Italian woman when I hear the name.

HoraceCope · 17/04/2026 17:55

i like them both equally

Onefortheroad25 · 17/04/2026 17:54

Celia is nicer than Sylvia but I prefer Cecilia

CoffeeBeansGalore · 17/04/2026 17:53

If that's the only choice then Celia. However personally I prefer Cicely or Cecilia, Clarisse or Clarissa.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 17/04/2026 17:51

I love Cecilia and have a friend who’s just named her baby that. Out of your choices I like Sylvia but spelt Silvia.

TryAndGetOutOfThat · 17/04/2026 17:49

Neither. I know a Celia and a Sylvia, and they are both 80-odd