I’ve recently started watching Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u], and, as predicted, I’ve fallen in love with the show, and, as also predicted, I’ve fallen in love with the names on the show.
I’ve always been kind of, on the fence with [name_f]Sybil[/name_f], but, since watching the first season, I’m starting to love the character of Lady [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] - her personality is a big drawing factor, and, it’s allowing me to put a face to the name (something I often need to do before I can grow to love/dislike a name).
However, I’m still a bit questionable of it. I love the idea of Sybbie as a nickname, which is what they end up calling [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]'s daughter on the show, and I definitely prefer the [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] spelling.
What are your thoughts on the name [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]?
I never gave much thought to it until I started watching Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u] and since then I like it. Like you, I loved the character of Lady [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]. I think it’s an old-fashioned name but I think it’s also spunky (probably due to my association with Lady Sybil).
I’ve not seen the show so I’ve not got the associations, but I just find [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] to be so very dated and heavy and cannot imagine it on a modern child. [name_f]Sybella[/name_f], yeah, maybe, but [name_f]Sybil[/name_f], I just cannot get on board with.
I think the nickname of [name_u]Billie[/name_u] would give it a slightly more contemporary vibe…
I’m not sure if I like it or not. It really sounds like civil when I hear it, and the only association I have is [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] [name_m]Vane[/name_m] from The Picture of [name_u]Dorian[/name_u] [name_u]Gray[/name_u], which isn’t great. I’d probably need just a bit of a push to really like it (such as Dowtown [name_u]Abbey[/name_u]), but I must admit, I almost fell in love when someone said it in a [name_m]French[/name_m] accent (I’m assuming the spelling’s the same); [name_u]Si[/name_u]-beel just sounded a lot nicer than [name_u]Si[/name_u]-buhl.
I’m not completely sure about [name_f]Sybil[/name_f], too. I love the sound and look of it, but it feels very cold, like steel, while other names I like tend to give warm and happy/cheerful vibes. These associations are really important to me when it comes to names, I couldn’t genuinely love a name if I didn’t like its feeling. [name_f]Sybella[/name_f] feels completely different, though, that’s why it’s much higher on my list than [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]. If I were to judge by sound only, I would say I like them equally.
Anyway, I think [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] is ready for restoration; a very strong, yet sophisticated name. As a nickname, Sybbie has grown on me recently (probably because of Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u] baby Sybbie), but [name_u]Billie[/name_u] is still my favorite.
I love [name_f]Sybella[/name_f] or Cybelle (pronounced psy-bella/ psy-belle), but not [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]. The film called [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] absolutely ruined the name for me…a lot like the HP character [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] ruined my fav girl’s name ([name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f]). It was my no.1 name choice for a girl until it was vetoed by nieces and nephews. They detested it and after hearing about the character through them, I really don’t blame them…sorry. However, if you love the name go for it! I doubt the film [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] is known widely.
I think of the picture of [name_u]Dorian[/name_u] [name_u]Gray[/name_u]. The girl named [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] in that book was an actress who commits suicide because [name_u]Dorian[/name_u] doesn’t love her anymore, so I have a bad connection. I do like Sebella though.
I never used to like it, but I adore Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u] and Lady [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] made me love the name! I think it’s a lovely, sophisticated name, and Lady [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] was such a fantastic character, so she would make a great fictional namesake.
I adore [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]! I’ve yet to watch Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u]. [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] came on my radar when I was thinking of formal names for the nickname [name_u]Billie[/name_u] and now it has a solid spot on my top two names for another daughter. Coincidentally we bought a house a year ago and our elderly neighbor is [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]. I had never met one before.
I have always been unsure about [name_f]Sybil[/name_f]. I want to like it but there’s something about the sound of it that puts me off. I’m dying to get my hands on Downtown [name_u]Abbey[/name_u], maybe my opinion will change then
I immediately think of [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] from Fawlty [name_m]Towers[/name_m], but that probably wouldn’t be an issue for most other people hearing it!
I really like it- I think it has such an elegant sound and feel to it, and it would age so beautifully. I personally prefer the [name_f]Sibyl[/name_f] spelling, as opposed to [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] (like [name_f]Silvie[/name_f] vs [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] for me), but either way it is lovely.
