What do people think of Abigail?

[TheTravellingLemon]

So struggle with girls names. I've just been playing this one around in my head today. I never see it suggested on these boards. Why is that? Is it a bit meh? Has it been over done? Honest opinions welcome

I like both names. Not met a Sylvia in years, and only know a few Abigails. But I don't think that 'Sylvia Abigail' works - ending and beginning with the same letter. 'Abigail Sylvia' OTOH flows beautifully.

Love it. It was our girl name but we had DS instead!

Know many little Sylvies but no Abigail's under 35

It's a fine name. A real name and pretty timeless.

There's nothing actually wrong with the name. But I'm afraid I don't like it very much.

I knew one Abigail north of the border that's all but really like it - where are all the rest?

Interesting, if you look at the ONS stats it has decreased in popularity in the last 10 years, from 20 in 2003 to 46 in 2013.

So I think that you might be onto something with your highly scientific sampling showing regional highs OP .

When you are checking popularity check the popularity of all the (mis)spellings and all the nns.

There are so many for Abigail so it is actually a lot more popular atm than you might think.

However we didn't pick it for this reason but then never came across another one!

It was historically a maid's name which might put some people off.

I love Sylvia.
I know lots of abigayle/abigail's in junior schools atm but none in nursery or infants. Maybe it had a surge around 9/10 years ago then died back around here. It's a nice name.

Hate it, sorry. There was a girl in my class growing up who got picked on and called scabby abby, it's always stuck

It was our second choice for DD2, and sometimes I'm sorry we didn't make it first choice. It's a lovely name.

Abigail Sylvia would be lovely.

Too common

As someone called Abi (Abigail) I really like it, in my experience it's not very common, there were 3 others in my high school of 2,000 kids. Although that was 10-15 years ago now.

I was glad not to be one of the many Sarahs/Katies/Hannahs/Rebeccas/Rachels so to me my name felt nicely different, without being 'out there'.

I think it's a pretty name without being too frilly and works well for both children and adults.

I like Abigail Sylvia too but then we have an ia ending for Dds middle name.

I also think it is fairly timeless.

You could choose any name today and there could be a flood of them next year.

So whilst I wouldn't necessarily choose the no 1 name, whatever that is - I think that you have to choose something that you both love.

I'm really encouraged by these responses. On the whole it seems that people see it as a classic, strong name. Which is what we're after.

I knew about the maid links, but I'm fine with that .

I am one, and it has served me well thus far. But part of that was that it wasn't well-used when I was a child (70s). I hear a fair few about these days, but certainly nothing in the numbers of Evies, Ellas, Olivias, Amelias etc.

Another Abigail here (it's not that common, honestly), As Abs says it was unusual to know another in the 1970's, I didn't when growing up, the ones you hear now tend to be called Abbie which I never was.

I've enjoyed it as a name, strong, feminine yet not girly (and in the Bible she is described as intelligent & beautiful).

My Abigail ( Abi ) is 30 years old now. Not many around , we named her after my DH's great grandmother .
I think it's my favourite of all my DC names.

Abigail Sylvia would be a really nice name. Abigail is an old name which isn't overused at the moment, and Sylvia is much nicer than Sylvie which is a bit faddy/trendy.

Love it, I only know 2, 30s and6

not read the whole thread but has anyone mentioned "Abigail's Party", the 70s screenplay by Mike Leigh? Reminds me of that!