New love NEED advice!

Girl Names
1

Recently started watching Downtown [name_u]Abby[/name_u] for the first time (I know late to the party) and I’ve fallen in love with the name Sybil/Sibyl; however, I live in the US and wonder about pronunciation.

When I first saw the name here on NB I never said it out loud and always read it as Sigh-bill since the only spelling I saw was [name_f]Sybil[/name_f].

So, would it be best to use the original spelling [name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] to force the correct pronounciation?

Also would love some input on middle names ideas:

[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Irene[/name_f]
…

Thanks so much!

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2

I’ve never heard it pronounced Sigh-bill with the Sybil spelling. I’ve always heard it Sib-uhl and I’ve only every seen it with the Sybil spelling. I’m in the US.

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3

I’m in the US as well and pronounce it as rhyming with “kibble”. I haven’t seen the show and I don’t know how it may be pronounced there or elsewhere.

I don’t think changing the y to an i would change the pronunciation, honestly. Think of [name_f]Tiffany[/name_f] to [name_f]Tiffani[/name_f], for example. Same sound. I can’t think of a way to accomplish what you’re wanting other than trying to enforce the pronunciation you’re wanting, which isn’t fool-proof.

I really like [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]!

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4

Also in the US and I think both spellings will get you the “rhymes with kibble” :joy: pronunciation. If you’ve ever heard Sibyl/Sybil out loud then you won’t say Sigh-bill would be my guess.

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5

I’m American (southeast) and I instinctively pronounce it “sih-buhl”! I don’t think you’d have trouble with mispronunciations since it’s such an old name and I imagine pretty well known throughout the US (:

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6

Thank you!! It seems as though I’m the only one who mispronounced it prior to hearing it :blush:

7

I’ve started watching Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u] too, and I love the name [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]!

Personally, I prefer the [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] spelling. [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] is gorgeous! :purple_heart:

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8

I like Sibyl Frances as well as Sybil Irene!!!

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9

[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] is how I’d naturally spell it and would get the right pronunciation

[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] is nice!!

[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Lois[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Amelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Ada[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Enid[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Adele[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Louisa[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]

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10

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone pronounce it “sigh-Bill” but then I am British… It’s definitely a name that has experienced a bit of a 0regeneration because of Downton. Pre-Downton if anyone had suggested [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] I would have said a big NO, but the series completely changed my opinion. I particularly like the nickname [name_f]Sibby[/name_f]. So cute. I have no idea how it would be received in the US though!

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11

I love [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] and [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] [name_u]Francis[/name_u] is perfection.

I’m not going to lie there are always going to be mispronunciation and misspelling with any name .

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12

A [name_u]Brit[/name_u] here :uk:

I’ve only seen the name spelt [name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] and pronounced sib uhl like others are saying. Honestly I definitely think [name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] is ready for a revival such a fun choice. I love [name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]!

Suggestions:
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Rebekah[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Colette[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]
[name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f]

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13

I think the pronunciation won’t be a huge problem with either spelling! For reference, I’m in the US (and frequently mispronounce names).

I really like [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] is perfect for your style (sweet, self-contained, and slightly unexpected), and [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] from Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u] is a sweet namesake.

I think any of those middle names would work, but [name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] is my favorite by a slim margin!

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14

the sibyl spelling looks wrong to me, if I’m honest

sybil looks much better and more natural

the middles really go well with sybil though

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15

Thank you everyone!!! I appreciate the re-assurance and it looks as though Sybil/Sibyl [name_f]Frances[/name_f] is in the lead. Onto my list it goes :blush:

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16

For me in [name_u]America[/name_u], I’ve always pronounced it sih-bull

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