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Baby names

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

Selah or Sybil?

20 replies

JanuaryJuniper · 29/10/2015 18:33

Which do you prefer as a sister to Eli and Aphra?

I had a recent thread in Sybil, I know it's marmite but myself and dh love it and I think it goes well. I see it as elegant, others see it as major granny name though!

But, I LOVE that Selah is Hebrew like Eli and Aphra. It's meaning is also beautuful! It's pronounced Say lah btw.

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Castledolorous · 29/10/2015 18:58

I think they are both lovely names. I do like Selah best but it might be tricky for people who don't know how it's meant to be pronounced Blush

JanuaryJuniper · 29/10/2015 19:17

Yeah I could see pronunciation being an issue with Selah alright!

Though my ds heard me suggest it to dh and said uh that's an awful name how about Greta....I think my name obsession is rubbing off on him Blush

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celtictoast · 29/10/2015 19:31

I like Sybil.

ApplesTheHare · 29/10/2015 19:33

Selah is beautiful but be prepared for forever explaining how to pronounce it. I have a Sylvie which I thought was a standard name and people get it wrong all the time Confused

Snossidge · 29/10/2015 19:37

Selah goes better with Eli and Aphra. I doubt telling people how to pronounce it will be an issue because they will mostly hear the name before seeing it written.

JanuaryJuniper · 29/10/2015 20:23

Oooh Sylvie....now that is beautiful!

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villainousbroodmare · 29/10/2015 20:59

I really like all three! (inc Sylvie!)
but Selah possibly goes better with your others.

mangocoveredlamb · 29/10/2015 21:06

All gorgeous!!

(How do you mispronounce Sylvie? Hmm)

WaitroseEssentialPancetta · 29/10/2015 21:17

Selah looks lovely written down but telling people she's called sailor might get odd looks?

JanuaryJuniper · 29/10/2015 22:24

It's Say lah not Say ler Confused

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Indole · 29/10/2015 22:29

Sybil much better in the UK. And Saylah/Sayler are not going to be much different in lots of accents.

JanuaryJuniper · 29/10/2015 22:33

Yeah I suppose some people don't really pronounce the r at the end of sailor which would make them sound the same.....though I secretly like Sailor as a baby name aka Liv Tyler, though for a boy!

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ApplesTheHare · 30/10/2015 10:12

Mango the most common mistake is saying 'Sylvia' and then after that take your pick. We've have everything from Salvia (?) to 'Silver'. We are in the north though, and January everyone with a northern accent would pronounce it 'Sailor' but it's still beautiful so don't let that put you off!

ApplesTheHare · 30/10/2015 10:13

Also is you already have an Aphra you must be used to correcting people! Smile

celtictoast · 30/10/2015 12:33

I was thinking it might be confused for Sailor as well.

MrsCaecilius · 30/10/2015 13:21

Saleh - too much like sailor to me too.

Sybil is pretty, although a bit too Downton Abbey, which is why I think I prefer Sybilla. Sylvie is a lovely alternative.

mrssmith79 · 30/10/2015 13:44

Sybil reminds me of that movie from the seventies. I know that's not in the least bit constructive but I had to get it out Grin

rainydaygrey · 30/10/2015 13:47

Selah/Sailor sound more or less the same in my accent.

Nothing wrong with that though Smile It's lovely and a good match with the other 2 names.

welliesandleaves · 30/10/2015 13:58

Sybil always reminds me of the Chalet School books and I like it for that reason. I think other people will associate it with Downton Abbey which is another nice connection.

And yes, you will get people who will think of the Sally Field film or Fawlty Towers, but not that many I shouldn't think.

SeveredHeadsDragOnTheFloor · 30/10/2015 14:05

I would automatically pronounce Selah as See la from just seeing it written down. That might get annoying after a while but I doubt it's a major problem.

I prefer it to Sybil although my judgement might be clouded by being of the Fawlty Towers generation so I associate it with older people.

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