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Baby names

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

Original poster

Beryl or Sybil

130 replies

tummytickler · 01/05/2010 10:04

Beryl or Sybil? Using one would mean the other was off limits forever as they have such a similar sound, so which would you go for?
We love them both (they are dh's top 2 at the moment), so just wondering the general feeling and which you prefer? I think I prefer Beryl, but I have a Pearl already who is nearly 5, so maybe a bit themey?

(Dont worry Mildred fans - it is still in the running along with Jean, Juniper and Miriam!)

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glastocat · 03/05/2010 17:18

Sybil also reminds me of the movie Sybil, about a woman with Multiple Personality disorder.

FightingDwarf · 03/05/2010 15:51

Beryl makes me think of a very solidly built 70 year old, with bad hair. Possibly a school dinner lady. Sybil makes me think of Fawlty Towers or Sybil Shepherd. No good connotations for either I'm afraid.

I think Miriam is very cute though. Mildred and Jean are not my cup of tea at all, and Juniper is a bit peculiar.

I do like Ethel (nn Effie) and Gertrude (nn Trudy) but then I'm biased on those since they are both my Grandmas.

...actually, the more I think about it, I REALLY like Effie, but I think it will remain a fantasy name!

thesecondcoming · 03/05/2010 14:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

glastocat · 03/05/2010 14:11

tummytickler, Pearl is quite nice,but you just can't put Beryl with it because of Beryl the Peril. I think all your other suggestions are dreadful though.You did ask!

Xavielli · 03/05/2010 14:03

I know two lovely Beryls

one is my aunt who is known as Bernie.

the other is 25 and is known as Billy.

Neither have a problem with the name and I quite like it.

Original poster
tummytickler · 03/05/2010 13:32

Well, Pearl is nearly 5, so not much i can do about that glastocat!

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 03/05/2010 11:47

Awful names

Magaly · 03/05/2010 11:45

I bet ruby was like Beryl 12 years ago though.

Beryl is a nice sound.

glastocat · 03/05/2010 11:28

Awful ugly names! My husband is still giggling at Beryl and Pearl.

Jenbot · 03/05/2010 11:12

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I don't like Sybil, but I do like Beryl.

Sib sounds like an awful nn to be, quite harsh, but Berry is pretty.

Of your other names I like Ethel and Jean. Ettie is really nice.

MrsSchadenfreude · 02/05/2010 21:09

Sybilla? Sibella?

MarineIguana · 02/05/2010 20:35

Berry-Jo was a joke btw (though I've heard worse)

Tidey · 02/05/2010 19:15

Sorry, but they're both awful. I know this old lady chic thing is all the rage at the moment but some names just shouldn't be revived.

thehillsarealive · 02/05/2010 19:15

I dont mind it being shortened to Berry - but Berry Jo, ooh no. (imho)

Why not call her Josephine Beryl Denise if you like those names and have to have them in your names list.

Josephine is a classic name, can be shortened or kept long.

piscesmoon · 02/05/2010 19:11

I thought you were joking! They are horrible.

PiggyPenguin · 02/05/2010 19:05

Sybil! definitely Sybil which is a fab name and much much nicer than Beryl.

LittleSilver · 02/05/2010 19:00

Oh please God, no!

Takver · 02/05/2010 18:15

I like both Beryl & Sybil, particularly given that both are likely to be shortened (I know a nice teenage Sibby).

Unless you like the 'theme' approach, I might tend to avoid Beryl though with a Pearl older sister.

I also like Mildred, but suspect it would tend to be shortened to Milly.

Miriam is a fab name too.

Actually, I like all your names (Except perhaps Juniper)

EricNorthmansmistress · 02/05/2010 17:02

Iris and Pearl = lovely names, a bit old fashioned, but in a nice way.

Ethel, Enid, Beryl, Sybil all god damned awful, ugly names. Please don't call your DD that. She will not thank you.

My mum is Winifred which was an old lady name when she was named. She does not like it at all and does not appreciate the kitsch factor which is what the old lady/man names are about really. Why mess about with your DCs' names for the sake of being kitsch? I don't get it.

Magaly · 02/05/2010 16:49

i like Beryl.. I think Sybil sounds very like Isabel. So i don't see why Isabel is normal and Sybil isn't.

Maleeka · 02/05/2010 16:00

Sorry, dont like any of them apart from the nn of Beryl which is nice as Berry.

Just cant imagine a 14yr old girl called Beryl! Sybil maybe at a stretch, but Beryl, noooooo!

LetThereBeRock · 02/05/2010 14:22

You can't call a baby Ethel!

posieparker · 02/05/2010 14:08

Love Ethel.....

[hopes someone will choose Posy...]

LetThereBeRock · 02/05/2010 13:57

Nooo.Not Jean. It's awful too. Miriam.It has to be Miriam.

MamaLazarou · 02/05/2010 13:38

ETHEL???

Now I know you are joking.