Beryl or Sybil

I think of Beryl the Peril, too and I had a horrid GP whose name was Beryl - so I'm not a fan personally.

Of the two, I prefer Sybil - actually I quite like Sybil (But maybe we're coming from the same angle - my 3 year old is a Nancy and one of her middle names is Pearl).

Hilda puts me off (wasn't it one of Margaret Thatcher's middle names - though why I know that is beyond me) and it reminds me of Coronation Street.

But an earlier comment about 'Jack' and 'Olivia' - they're no nicer than Beryl and Sybil - they're just to your taste (not to mention just about everyone else's). And I remember a time in the early 90s when people thought Jack was a horrid old man's name - and now look - just about every class has at least one.

And Posieparker - if we're having a girl, I'm hoping for Posy.

My youngest (2 yr old Alfie) is named after DHs grandad. MIL asked us what names we had when i was about 37 weeks and we only had Oliver. Then she said 'what about Alfred?'
I wasnt sure, then she said 'Alfie? Same name but short version?!'

So we went with that and it stuck

I love his name

I think they are OK. Not my cup of tea but everyone has different tastes and shouldn't be asking a group of people on a forum what they think about the names you are going to choose for your baby.

Its up to the parents, no one else. You will always get someone say 'oh no i dont like that name' These are generally the parents with kids called (for example) Adam and Eve so what can they say!?

My kids names are quite popular these days and i can imagine them going to school and not been the only Jack & Alfie's in their class.

I have seen worse names than the ones stated in the OP, which i will not go in to as i do not think it is fair to ridicule someone on their chosen baby name.

I don't mind the name Hilda if you take the Ogden aspect out of it - it's a popular Scandinavian/North European name.

I like Miriam.

Can't stand Ethel or Enid, really don't like Mildred, Muriel, Doris or Gladys - all names that shout "Great-Aunt" at me. (mostly because I had Great Aunts/Grandmother with those names!)

Have you thought of Sylvia/Sylvie? I like the latter much better.

Hilda is ok, it's very heavy and valkyrie-ish.
My favs would be:
1 Juniper
2 Myriam
3 Sybil
4 Ethel
5 Mildred.

How about Greta?

Hilda!

My middle name is Beryl and I hated it, so much so that I refused to claim it until I was 'grown up' ie around 35.

It is also my mum's name and is always shortened to 'Bare' by her sisters and friends

I would like it to comeback into fashion, tho' because she is such a lovely, strong woman

Sybil

Hilda and Rita. Absolutely not. (And my Grandmother, who I adored, was called Hilda).
They both just scream 'Coronation Street' at me.

How about Mavis or Ena? (Joke!)

1. Miriam
2. Sybil
3. Beryl
4. Rita
5. Hilda

I know a Hilda ,shes in her 30s now and hates her name with a passion ...so just no

I'm with you on Ruby too Gunther.

Sybil over Beryl (less pretty and not with Pearl).

Huge fan of Juniper and Miriam, makes a nice change from the conventional/popular first names.

Jean is not for me.

Yes to Ethel and no to Enid (esp with Iris as a big sister).

Mildred is cool too. Have you been inspired by the worst witch?

I like Mildred and love Miriam. You are getting the rough end of the stick OP, which is a shame. I'm sure people don't like my name choices for my DDs. Tough shit frankly!
Personally I hate hate hate the name Ruby, reminds me of old ladies in the Gala Bingo with flabby arms in vest tops and pissy knickers, but seeing as it is one of the most popular names around, I appreciate that I may be in a minority.
Have to say though Juniper is silly. At least stick with a real name. I like Maud and Elsie of the old lady chic names BTW.

i think Sybil is the best of a very bad lot. Mildred and Beryl are truly awful. Miriam and Jean are very dated. Juniper just sounds silly.

I prefer Sybil of the two. Don't like Beryl, never have (don't like Barbara either) although Beryl the Peril would actually sway me towards is (as would Minnie the Minx)

Having said that, I have just looked up Sybil because I knew it had some ancient Greek meaning - and it's been nicked by the computer industry! see here.

Still prefer it though - would you consider Sybilla as an option?

If you have a Pearl then I really don't think you can have a Beryl. To be honest I don't like either. I like unusual names (I have one myself) but they are harder to carry so they have to be especially nice. Miriam is lovely, and I think would go really well with your other four (a bit of a bridge between the Old testament boys and the old lady girls too) and I quite like Jean.

your choices are wasted on this lot op... they clearly have no taste / limited horizons

ethel is a fab name... but sybil is nicer. enid is a winner too imo.

glory? margo? nora? rita? hilda?

Being practical, Beryl sounds too much like Pearl - that could cause confusion.

What about Vera?

Sybil every time. Need you ask?