Baby girl name - too old ladyish?

[andres42]

Hi all,

currently pregnant with my second, and I originally really loved the name Sylvie. I thought it was quite unique and sweet. Everyone now keeps telling me it's an old lady name... which is starting to put me off a bit!

My daughter has now absolutely decided that the baby is called Sylvie, even if we offer alternatives. So I guess it's stuck now? I just don't want to name my baby something that people will think is awful! Especially as the middle names will be quite old fashioned too (both the babies Great Grandmothers names).

The other name I really loved was Josie.

Josie is much nicer in my opinion xx

I think it's an old lady name in France, but fine in the UK.

It's lovely. Lots of "old lady" names come back. Look at Ruby and Isabelle! They're all the rage now.

I met a Nora recently. To me that really is an "old lady" name, but apparently it's becoming more popular!

It makes me think of fairies too - little wood sprites or similar after sylvan.

Inevitably there will be older ladies with the name, but it has definitely been revived in recent years and to me is deserving of it as it is a pretty sound with nice associations of woodlands. Much nicer than a lot of the Daphne and Mabel type names that are also popular "old lady" names at the moment.

I don't mind Sylvia either.

So. Many. Mabels.

I think it's cute. Some old lady names are popular again like Dorothy and Betty! If you do pick a different name keep it to yourself until they're born. People aren't going to say they don't like it once they're here but will try to influence you before they arrive!

I know a Sylvie, she’s three. It’s a beautiful name.

If you’re after unique then don’t choose Sylvie, it’s becoming more popular at the moment and I know of a couple small children with the name.

It’s a pretty name though, reminds me of the other “old lady” names that are coming back to trend, Sylvia, sylvie, Elsie, Mabel, Nora etc x

Sylvie is lovely, not old lady ish
Much nicer than Josie

To me it is an old lady's name, along with Mabel, Audrey, Florence etc. Sorry it's probably a generational thing.

Exactly this.

I also know of quite a surprising number of child Josies (I’m talking at least 4 off the top of my head) so I think it’s perhaps on the up if that’s something that matters to you.

Also makes me think of the main character being called ‘Gross-y Josie’ in Never Been Kissed…

So many of the 'old' names have become fashionable.

I prefer Josie .

It isn't for me, but, screw what everybody else thinks! People are always going to have an opinion on every name in the world, and if you love it, that's all that matters imo :)

Sylvie is lovely and timeless. Choose the name you want for your baby.

Unique doesn’t mean “slightly unusual”. It means the only one. Unless you call your child Uyghurf or 31a56 it won’t be unique.

Love Josie but not as much as Jo

I love Sylvie. I’m a teacher and have taught a few in recent years, I don’t think it’s old lady -ish at all.

Doesn’t matter, old lady chic is very cool in t he naming of children, names cycle generationally don’t they. Every other kid is currently called Margot or ivy so no , sylvie is lovely.

But also OP, your mistake was discussing possible names with your DC. Worse than a MIL imo 😆

If they don't like it, they'll let you know. If they do like it, they'll box you in.

Sylvia is definitely old fashioned, it makes me thing of blue rinses, but Sylvie is cute and would fit a baby.

It's beautiful, and not old-ladyish at all to me. It's got a lovely fresh elegance to it. Sylvia is much more dated. If you and her big sister love it, go for it!

Josie is cool too. It's my late 20s goddaughter's middle name. People will assume it's short for Josephine though.

Sylvie is nice, not old ladyish. There are some horrible old lady names that have made a (completely inexplicable to me) comeback, but Sylvie is fine!

I like it. It’s sometimes a generational thing and people not aware of name trends. My mum thinks Violet is an old lady name and that it would be weird to use it for a baby, not aware that it’s in the top 100 again and not unusual anymore.

I don’t think it’s too old-lady ish at all. I know one who’s about 12 and it suits her really well. Sylvia is maybe a bit older sounding I suppose but Sylvie sounds fresh to me.