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Baby names

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Original poster

Beryl or Sybil

130 replies

tummytickler · 01/05/2010 10:04

Beryl or Sybil? Using one would mean the other was off limits forever as they have such a similar sound, so which would you go for?
We love them both (they are dh's top 2 at the moment), so just wondering the general feeling and which you prefer? I think I prefer Beryl, but I have a Pearl already who is nearly 5, so maybe a bit themey?

(Dont worry Mildred fans - it is still in the running along with Jean, Juniper and Miriam!)

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recireci · 01/05/2010 11:15

Out of the two, I prefer Sybil.

Also like Miriam and think Jean is OK, but not keen on Juniper.

From the ones you like, I think Miriam Josephine would be a lovely name.

Rockbird · 01/05/2010 11:16

OK, I have to go on the record here and say you are officially rubbish at choosing names. Jean is ok, Miriam is ok. Everything else sucks and, as others have said, you might think you're being cutting edge and different but do you really want people to think 'God what an ugly name' every time your child is mentioned? Harsh but true. There is a reason those names haven't come back into fashion when other old lady names have. Sorry, it might be your choice, as you're bound to say but you won't be the one wearing the name.

princessmel · 01/05/2010 11:19

Go for Juniper.

LetThereBeRock · 01/05/2010 11:46

The names are awful.

Miriam is nice,the others are horrid.

And if you can't have a Beryl if you already have a Pearl. It'd sound ridiculous.

dannas · 01/05/2010 11:50

99.9% of the population will think that Beryl is a terrible name. It's not even classy, it's always been naff.

Stop trying to make an impression. Your child is not a fashion accessory.

APassionateWoman · 01/05/2010 11:52

Both horrible. Taking the old lady chique thing way too far.

ZZZenAgain · 01/05/2010 11:55

I do prefer Beryl to Sybil but it also has an old lady ring to it for me I'm afraid.

Beryl Josephine Denise doesn't have any particular flow to it (to my ears) but it's ok

WorzselMummage · 01/05/2010 12:07

They are hideous names.

Seriously 2 of the most unpleasent old lady names possible.

Have you considered gurtrude or ethel ?

HelenFF · 01/05/2010 12:19

I prefer Sybil

Good luck with choosing!

cupofteaplease · 01/05/2010 12:35

I prefer Sybil.

But I LOVE Mildred from your other list! Also Jean and Miriam.

But then, I am a mother of a Mabel so I'm all for old fashioned names

MamaLazarou · 01/05/2010 12:41

To be brutally honest, it's just hilariously awful. If I heard of a little girl called Beryl, I would just laugh. of course I would try and be diplomatic and smile politely, but as soon as I got home, I would tell DH and we would have a good old chuckle together. It's that sort of name.

MarineIguana · 01/05/2010 12:46

Ah you see me and DP privately despair over people calling their dc the same names as everyone else like Jack and Olivia. Yaaaaaaawwwn.

Would all you Beryl-haters like Berry though?

Exogenesis · 01/05/2010 12:48

What about sybilla?

WorzselMummage · 01/05/2010 12:50

People call their childreN Jack and Olivia because they are nice names.

There is a good reason not many people use Beryl..

PeasPlease · 01/05/2010 12:50

I quite like the sound of Beryl, but Sybil makes me think Fawlty Towers. Like cupofteaplease I am a mum of a Mabel so like all the old lady names.

It might well get shortened to Bez though.

MamaLazarou · 01/05/2010 12:56

Berry is OK, a bit twee, but definitely better than Beryl. It has completely different connotations.

I'm not a fan of overly-common names, either, but the problem is not just that it's 'different' (my son has a very unusual name). It's the name of someone who wears curlers and bedjackets. It's not classic and timeless like other popular old-ladyish names such as Rose or Ivy.

jammydodger · 01/05/2010 12:56

Why don't you just call her Berry? Much better than Beryl, for reasons given already by others...

Grandhighpoohba · 01/05/2010 13:01

The problem with Sybil is that to 5 year old ears it rhymes with piddle and dribble. And people of a certain generation will shout "Basiillll!" at your child when they meet her for the first time. Which gets pretty dull after 30 years. (can you tell I have personal experience here?)

However, I'm really hoping that people's first thought when they meet me isn't "what a horrible name"

Journey · 01/05/2010 13:07

Beryl and Sybil are horrible names. They sound a bit creepy to me. If you have a Pearl there is no way could have a Sybil or a Beryl. It would just sound stupid when you told people your kids' names.

What about Sophia or Bethany?

Journey · 01/05/2010 13:10

Meant to read there is *no way you could have a Beryl (not Sybil) with Pearl."

MaisietheMorningsideCat · 01/05/2010 13:14

They were horrible years ago and they remain horrible. When there are so many other beautiful names to choose from - why would you do that to your child?

AitchTwoZone · 01/05/2010 13:20

neither are nice, sybil sounds slightly better than beryl but has associations with mpd and fawlty. pearl is a nice name, what about a cora if you're of that mind? mildred awful as well, btw, and berry is just a bit stupid.

there are loads of nice old lady names, if that's what you're into. jean's tolerably nice, miriam is lovely, margaret's great, even esme and thora. but really, beryl is ghastly.

Valinor · 01/05/2010 13:32

I'm not overly keen on Beryl as pronunciation wise it's too close to 'barrel' which would be quite unfortunate if the child was well built.

Also, I think one precious jemstone is quite enough in a sibset otherwise it's too themey.

I do however really like Sybil. I also like
Sybilla as I think it's more feminine than Beryl.

GoodDaysBadDays · 01/05/2010 13:34

I'm not keen on any of them i'm afraid. My Grandmother is called Beryl and she still dislikes now and however much I love my Grandma I couldn't use Beryl for dd's name, even as a middle name!

Just because a something is the name of a precious stone doesn't make the name beautiful! Agree with Maisie that there are so many other beautiful names to chose from.

Many so-called 'old lady names' are very pretty. I love Pearl!

OP, if you really do love the names then use one. But don't do it just to be 'different'

I was down to two names with ds1, one very unusual (I now think very odd ) and the other very popular then and has continued to be ever since. I chose the popular, not for that reason, but am so glad I did. It's not so bad him being 'another blah' and he certainly wouldn't be thanking me for an odd unusual name now in his teens!

MarineIguana Since when has Louise been out of common use? I know loads of all ages right down to a new one last month. Disclaimer I may not be impartial due to several family members (dd, dsd, mum, sil, niece, dh's niece, oh and me) All having Louise as part of their name But fwiw, those aren't the only ones I know!!

5DollarShake · 01/05/2010 13:42

"How does Beryl Josephine Denise sound"

Terrible. Just awful. And I'm only saying that because you asked. You might as well call her Gert and be done with it.