Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

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?
Set a reminder
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