[Opinions] Sylvia
so i love the name Sylvia for the sound and meaning, and because of icons like Sylvia Pankhurst and Sylvia Rivera. however, i feel like most people would just think of Sylvia Plath, who was...not at all a good person. even though it sounds like it used to be a very common name.
can you separate Sylvia from Plath, or would you assume whoever would name their kid or themself Sylvia is a fan of her?
can you separate Sylvia from Plath, or would you assume whoever would name their kid or themself Sylvia is a fan of her?
Replies
I do kind of think of Sylvia Plath but I don't think that's a bad thing. There are so many reasons to like the name Sylvia I wouldn't assume someone was named ater Plath.
Sylvia Rivera is a good one to name-drop if you want, Sylvia Pankhurst too (although I had to google her-- I know I've probably heard of her before but it was likely in a list of names and I couldn't remember who she was).
Mostly I just like the sound and general feel of Sylvia.
You could also use another variant like Sylvie, Silvia, Silvie, Silvana, Sylvana, Sylvaine, Silvaine, etc.
Sylvia Rivera is a good one to name-drop if you want, Sylvia Pankhurst too (although I had to google her-- I know I've probably heard of her before but it was likely in a list of names and I couldn't remember who she was).
Mostly I just like the sound and general feel of Sylvia.
You could also use another variant like Sylvie, Silvia, Silvie, Silvana, Sylvana, Sylvaine, Silvaine, etc.
I really like Sylvia partially because of Sylvia Pankhurst. Compared to her mother and Christabel I feel like she's overlooked, and I would like to squeeze Sylvia in somewhere for her. I definitely wouldn't assume a Sylvia was named after Sylvia Plath. It's quite popular and on trend where I live so it's even more unlikely. I don't think it's a problem at all.
i'm glad to hear of someone else here who knows Sylvia Pankhurst. i only read about her recently tbh and i wish i had heard of her sooner.
also nice names in your signature!
also nice names in your signature!
Yeah, we did a little on her in history (I live in England). There was a topic on Women's suffrage; I actually did awfully (I think I got too into it) but it was enjoyable. And thanks about my sig :)!
I never considered Sylvia Plath not a good person. Just a person with a mental illness which led to suicide. Of course, that in and of itself could be a bad association. Maybe you know something about her I don't?
I love Sylvia and I don't consider it too tied to Sylvia Plath. I woudn't assume a Sylvia was the daughter of Plath fans. It's such a beautiful shining crisp silver name. I've never heard of Sylvia Pankhurst or Sylvia Rivera.
I love Sylvia and I don't consider it too tied to Sylvia Plath. I woudn't assume a Sylvia was the daughter of Plath fans. It's such a beautiful shining crisp silver name. I've never heard of Sylvia Pankhurst or Sylvia Rivera.
From what I've read, it sounds like she had a complete lack of empathy. She almost sounds like a sociopath.
This message was edited 8/17/2017, 10:42 PM
oh my God, no, I don't consider that aspect to be bad at all. If she were just a mentally ill artist, I would admire her, and I wish I could.
The problem is that she was really, really racist, and it showed in her writing. I could elaborate if you want, but essentially she used other races as insults, and slurs for shock value, and compared genocide and racial struggles to her own struggles with depression. I don't blame people for not knowing that, it's not such common knowledge. I just know because I knew a lot of people who were very into her.
thanks for your input. I do love the name a lot.
The problem is that she was really, really racist, and it showed in her writing. I could elaborate if you want, but essentially she used other races as insults, and slurs for shock value, and compared genocide and racial struggles to her own struggles with depression. I don't blame people for not knowing that, it's not such common knowledge. I just know because I knew a lot of people who were very into her.
thanks for your input. I do love the name a lot.
Lovely name. I doubt you'd run into people who thought you chose it for Plath.
I wouldn't think of Sylvia Plath at all. It's a good name, I'd use it for a daughter, were I having another one.