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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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Rockbird · 02/05/2010 12:55

OK I take it back, with Ethel and Enid the names are getting worse not better! Seriously, have you put yourself in your dd's position for even a split second? Please, for the love of all that's holy, stick with Jean.

CakeandRoses · 02/05/2010 11:23

Ouch - you are getting a bit of a beating for these names!

Of Beryl and Sybil, I prefer Sybil. Beryl is actually a pretty sound,ing name but I'm struggling to clear my head of the old lady image it conjures up.

My fave of your names is Miriam. Pretty and strong.

Jean is ok but seems a bit bland to me.

Juniper is pretty but sounds a bit made-up (although I know it isn't)

I dislike Mildrid the most.

Actually, Juniper's growing on me. Could be a good choice.

kailie · 02/05/2010 10:47

Beryl - not on my names list - but I like it!

Don't really like sybil (much harsher sound)

Beryl Jospephine is nice...but I really don't like the name Denise (sorry to all denises out there!) as again to it sounds a little harsh to me.

I like Jean & Millie. Miriam less so - Juniper I'm not keen on at all....

Original poster
tummytickler · 02/05/2010 09:54

I am not put off Beryl at all - just really surprised about the reaction! To me it is soft and feminine, and all things lovely!
We have to have Denise, as Pearl has dh's mums name for her second mn, so my mums has to be a second mn for another dd!
Reluctant to go for another flower because my 9 year old dd has a flower name (Iris).
posie - dh would never go for Posey or Primrose, but we do both like Ethel (Ettie) and Enid.
Thanks for all the opinions ladies - they are all most welcome - and no hard feelings - promise

OP posts:
BallpointPen · 02/05/2010 09:52

They're both awful not to my taste. If forced on pain of death to choose I'd have Sybil but would prefer daft Juniper I think.

MarineIguana · 02/05/2010 09:47

If you used Beryl Josephine (which I like) you could call her Berry-Jo - it would be very Waltons. "G'night Berry-Jo!"

But more seriously she could just use Jo if she grew up not liking Beryl.

loobylu3 · 01/05/2010 23:06

Sybil is okay but reminds of Faulty Towers too much for me to take it seriously!

Beryl awful- sorry!

I do like Juniper and Miriam.
Margaret is lovely and Cora.

How about:
Nora
Gwendoline
Elsie
Maude
Josephine
Adeline/ Adelaide
Nancy........

mathanxiety · 01/05/2010 22:18

I love Sybil, and like Beryl. Sybil Josephine is nice. Denise gets a thumbs down from me.

Dizzeee · 01/05/2010 21:31

Juniper, Jean and Miriam all properly lovely.

Beryl/Sybil - I prefer the sound of Sybil.

You early adopter, you.

Katiej06 · 01/05/2010 21:25

I dont like them either I'm afraid. I dont think they sound pretty at all. I do know a baby called Sylvie...

choosyfloosy · 01/05/2010 21:17

I'm the wrong age to like Beryl - I'm afraid I don't - but like any other name it comes round again, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with it.

I'll be honest, Beryl Josephine Denise is a bit full on with the Marmite names IMO. To me they are all very much on the non-pretty side, which is fine, but a bit much all together for me. How about Beryl Josette instead? Are the others family names?

posieparker · 01/05/2010 21:12

I think of Beryl Reed.

posieparker · 01/05/2010 21:12

And I love Posy...love love love
Posy...

Come on call her Posy!

posieparker · 01/05/2010 21:10

i have a Mabel and love the older names, but dislike Beryl and Sybil.

Love
Ethel, Elsie, Gertie/Gertrude, Prudence, Maude, etc....

LovelyDear · 01/05/2010 21:07

i love sybil. and really seriously considered gertie for my dd, but chose something even more bizarre. i truly think you grow into your name, and whether you think it's odd now, in abstract, it won't be as real person's name. i think.

OctaviaH · 01/05/2010 21:02

I'm sorry, I'm about to be very harsh.

Sybil= Sybil Fawlty. imagine Basil shouting SYBIIIIIL!

Beryl= the peril. As in, Beryl the peril from the beano.

I think they're both terrible.

What about Beatrice, Sylvia, Billie?

SugarSkyHigh · 01/05/2010 20:56

Sybil is better than Beryl but honestly, what are you thinking? Pearl is lovely though. Miriam is gorgeous (it's DD's middle name) .......
For some reason I love Jean (perhaps I'm thinking of Jean Shrimpton) and I think it's due for a revival. Likewise Julie. But I imagine I'm in a minority..

oliviacrumble · 01/05/2010 20:56

I loved reading the adventures of Beryl the Peril when i was a child.

Am surprised no-one else has mentioned it...

recireci · 01/05/2010 20:48

Meryl
Avril
Cheryl
Caryl
Mariel
Arielle
Isabel
Laurel
Estelle
Gabrielle
Hazel
Mariel
Mab el

controlfreakery · 01/05/2010 20:44

aw, tt, if you remember i always lurv your name choices (my ds would have been a pearl....)

loving juniper best of all i think.... but between beryl and sybil it's sybil for me.

ps do you like sylvia / sylvie?

MarineIguana · 01/05/2010 20:36

You are getting a rough ride TT, I hope it doesn't put you off though.

Beryl rocks!

Rockbird · 01/05/2010 20:29

Sorry, I was a bit harsh but I mean, really!

Simply · 01/05/2010 20:29

This is a joke, I hope. Miriam is nice, the others are awful imo.

imahappycamper · 01/05/2010 20:09

I know a lovely Sybil, but she's 70.

cloelia · 01/05/2010 19:58

Beryl, Sybil and Jean are frightful.
However I have a good friend called Jeannie, which I do like.
Juniper and Miriam have possibilities.
If you want an unusual name to go with Pearl, try some pretty and yet unusual flowery names, eg Petunia, Fern, Dahlia, Viola. Just an idea.