Sybil - due a comeback?

[Thatsnotmypolarbear]

What do people think of Sybil? I quite like it, but perhaps it's a bit too Fawlty Towers! I like Billie as a nn too.

I agree that the Fawlty Towers generation probably couldn't get past that but the peers of a child born now probably less so. It seems to be one of those old names that is showing no signs of a comeback though, a bit like Gladys or Eileen.

Too early, I think.

give another 5 years or so.

No to Sybil, yes to Billie.

I'm not in the UK but in a country with big western expat population, I know of 3 little Sybils (all 3 and under) I considered it for DC3 as well (I was inspired by the Downton Abbey character!)

I think it's lovely!

Doesn't it mean snake or serpent or something? I remember being very put off by the meaning

I'm too young for faulty towers really, but its a lovley name!

One of my cats is called Sybil (and her brother is Basil). Not sure about it as a baby name though.

Not a lovely name.

Still a bit too Fawlty.

I wonder the Sibyl spelling might look better?

Or Sybilla/Sibylla if you want Billie as a nn, it seems a more natural shortening.

I think it's definitely due a comeback and would be surprised if it hasn't already started

It has a similar vibe to Nancy, Nelly, Betty, Elsie etc which are all back with a vengeance

It does make me think of Fawlty Towers but that wouldn't be an issue for the generation currently having babies

I'm too young for the FT reference and I'm well in to my thirties so I wouldn't let it bother you.

Its a lovely name, due a come back.

I think it is lovely and definitely current. The names from the flapper age are very much with us and have a 'cooler' air than the maid's names or fussier names of the Victorian era.

I am starting to get beyond FT now and was thinking about it trying to be objective recently as seem to have a lot of people called Sybilla on my family tree. I think I like it.

I like it.

I love it, definitely cool.

Terrible!!!!

It's hissy

It's entered the sphere of pet names - I know a cat and a Basset Hound called Sybil along with seeing it for chickens at two separate farms. There is a lot of overlap with pets and children now, so I wouldn't write it off yet, but I would bear it in mind. It isn't unlike Basil, which is also a sausage dog name and has FT references.

I love Sybil - it was considered for my DD and is actually near the top of the list if we ever have another daughter.

No really bad.

I love Sybil - elegant with a great history. I think because it's never been really popular it doesn't feel as retro/vintage trendy as some other "old" choices. It makes me think of the Sibyls from Greek mythology and maybe the character from Downton Abbey, rather than Fawlty Towers personally. I like ancient Sibylla too and Billie and Sib are cute nn's.

Is it a form of Isobel?
I am sure I have met an Irish woman called "Sibil". The s is pronounced like English sh.

@ZednotZee

I'm too young for the FT reference and I'm well in to my thirties so I wouldn't let it bother you.

Its a lovely name, due a come back.

Even though I watched FT, (I'm 35), I know think of Downton Abbey

@Seanchailleach
Is it a form of Isobel? I am sure I have met an Irish woman called "Sibil". The s is pronounced like English sh.

The name Sibéal is used in Ireland, though it's rare - there's a young singer with this name, for example. It's pronounced Shib-ale with the fada and Shib-il without, and has indeed been used as an Irish form of Isobel (as a variant of Isibéal), but is also used to translate Sybil. Ceann Sibéal in Kerry translates as Sybil Head today, but the woman after whom it is named is called either Isabel Lynch or Sybil Lynch in local histories for example.

I like it.