Silvia/Sylvia/Sylvie

[NamingQuandries]

I am going to preface this by acknowledging that some of what I'm going to say is illogical 😆

Sylvie is on our shortlist, but my reservation is that even though I know it's a full name, it feels a bit nicknamey. We also have four nephews/nieces whose names all end in -ie/-ey and it just feels like we'd be adding to the pile.

I'd like the longer option, but I think as I work in healthcare, Sylvia to me is very much a woman in her 60s/70s!

I am well aware that Silvia is, in essence, exactly the same. But the Latin spelling makes it feel slightly different/fresher to me, it would go well with our DSs name which is also Latin origin. We'd also love a bit of a nod to Italy in our baby name so that attracts.

Just wondering what people think? 😊

I absolutely love Silvia (the Italian spelling). Like
you, I have the same thoughts about Sylvia being for an older lady, but think Silvia is sufficiently different.

Have often wondered why Olivia has been so popular for so many years and not Silvia, as I think it's a far prettier name.

I sometimes dislike the sound of ie/y names - especially nickname type ones. But to me Sylvie is the equivalent of Sophie to Sophia, Marie to Maria etc - all are full “grown up” (for want of a better word!) sounding names in their own right, it’s just preference for the French version over the Latinate.

I really love the look and sound of pretty Sylvie, though I do think that elegant Sylvia is one of those names that could grow on you - it feels slightly fuddy duddy at the moment but it has such a rich history and I can imagine it might make a huge comeback by the time your DD is in her late teens/twenties (due to its pleasant sound and the “hundred year naming rule”).

But whilst I understand the temptation for Silvia (looks beautiful and its used by Shakespeare to boot!), the reality is that in the UK/English speaking countries she’ll always have to correct the spelling and that can make an otherwise lovely name into a bit of a pain.

I understand your thinking - Sylvia doesn't feel like it's yet completed the 'old lady' cycle, whereas the Silvia spelling feels more modern and usable. Sylvie feels fresh and lovely. If you love Sylvie and would use it all the time, I think go with it. However I do get the question about having an 'a' ending name which somehow feels more grown-up. I'm wondering whether going with Silvia and using the nn Sylvie with a 'y' would seem a bit odd? No answers here but I get your dilemma!

Sylvia is so "old lady", but gorgeous.
Absolutely deserves a resurgence and I'm sure it will become more popular as people move away from all the "e" and "ie" endings.

Sylvia is lovely and there are no Sylvias younger than 85 now. Certainly no 60 year olds as you state. I’m nearly 60 and it was a grandmother’s name when I was a child.

there are no Sylvias younger than 85 now.
I know 2. One is about 62, the other about 70.

I love Sylvie and Sylvia. Not so keen on the Silvia spelling but no particular reason why. I just really like the y in the English spelling.

It's the y I don't like.

Sylvie is the nicest by far imo and it doesn’t sound like a nickname.

I love Sylvie it was nearly DD2s name but DH wasn't as set on it as me.

Edited because I spelt the name wrong 🤣 my excuse is i have a 2 week old and a 2 and half year old running about. But beautiful I actually think Sylvia is lovely too but I just knew a couple of older people with that name..

Sylvie is beautiful (the other two are too old lady for me!!). But…..I much prefer the Norwegian/Scandi Solveig (Sol-vay) but I appreciate it would be mispronounced a lot!

I know a Sylvana - beautiful Italian lady!

Yes I don't like the Silvia spelling as much either - it brings to mind saliva or slither or silver.

I think both Sylvie and Sylvia are cute. I don't think there is too much difference and both are back in fashion imo.

ETA the syl spelling also stays true to the sylvan roots. which are one of the nicest things about this name.

We have a Sylvie and sylv is her nickname. We love it.

Love Silvia like the Queen of Sweden. Silvana, Silviana, Solveig?

I have a nearly 20yo Silvia (in Italy) and still love the name.

Spelling it with a Y you get a sort of mouthy L as in “bottle”, or maybe that’s just the difference between English and Italian pronunciation.
It’s never been shortened by family or friends.

I have a teen Silvia. I prefer the Latin and Shakespearean spelling. She gets called both Silvia and Silvie.

We had a beautiful dog called Silvie.
She had silver tips to her fur.

I prefer the Silvia and Silvie versions.
There is a Queen Silvia in the World so it is not unknown.

My baby is called Sylvia, nn Sylvie (or Sylv mostly when being cheeky). She really suits it. I think both Sylvia and Sylvie are beautiful, elegant names! Think Sylvie is getting more popular now, I really love the ‘a’ sounding at the end of a name so we stuck with Sylvia. I reckon it must be due a revival.
I don’t know if this helps but I’ve had a couple of people misspell it as Silvia. So it seems you may get misspellings whichever one you choose!

Old lady here called Sylvia.
Most people shorten it to Sylvie which I hate and correct every time ( some people persist). So be aware that will probably happen if you name her Sylvia. I also always have to spell it, surprising as it seems simple. Most people spell it with an I instead of a y.

Sylvia is in my mind a 75-yr old former barmaid in a red satin shirt and has jet black dyed hair
I've hated my name all my life. Apparently my mother named me after the actress Sylvia Syms who was quite glamorous.
At school everyone sang Sylvia's Mother wherever I was - even years after the song was out.

One thing that adds to my dislike is that it dates fairly precisely to the late 50s. I know one or two others and all are my age though no former barmaids😂

Sylvia is so so beautiful!

I know a 4 year old Sylvie. Lovely name.

Sylvia Syms was in a lot of films. She was Olive Woodhouse in EastEnders.

I know a 15 year old Sylvia. It's a pretty name.

I agree