The image of the lovely Lady Sybil, tragic youngest daughter of the Crawley family on Downton Abbey is likely to go a long way towards reviving this almost forgotten name, off the list since 1966 and most popular in the 1920s and '30s. 
 Sybil is the most common spelling of a name which the Ancient Greeks used as the generic word for a prophetess--a woman who claimed to be able to interpret the wishes of the gods through their oracles. The term was later transferred into Christian theology where the sibyls were celebrated as having divine knowledge, which in turn brought the name into common use in the Middle ages. 
 Benjamin Disraeli wrote an influential political novel titled Sybil, which increased the popularity of the name in Victorian times, its use having suffered after the Protestant Reformation. More recently however, the name was severely undermined by the eponymous book and 1976 movie based on the character of Sybil-- played by Sally Field-- whose multiple personalities have now been confessed as fake.
 There is also a Sybil in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Sybill Trelawney is a witch and seer in the Harry Potter books, a Professor of Divination played on screen by Emma Thompson. Actress Cybill Shepherd, on the other hand, bears an invented name combining those of her Uncle Cy and Dad Bill.
 
Clunky-cute-and-cool, Sybil is a Nameberry gem, ranking in the Top 200 - and this popularity is beginning to reflect on the real world. Back in 2012, Sybil was given to less than 20 girls a year in the US; by 2013, it was chosen for nearly 70 -- and the most recent count, 153 girls were called Sybil, making it similar in popularity to Kadence, Roslyn, Wednesday, and Mari.

Sybil

Pre-Thomasina female form of Thomas, now seen as more literary and upscale British. In Thomas Hardy's novel The Return of the Native, a leading character is Thomasin Yeobright.

Thomasin

The double 'n's in this spelling variation of vintage Winifred aesthetically looks closer to the loveable nickname Winnie which is likely the appeal for many parents. Winnifred, along with several other Win names, from vintage revivals Winnie and Winona to modern Winter and Winslow, is on the rise. 

Winnifred

chloefiegener's list "Greatest Classic Girl Names" of 3 great name ideas: Sybil - Winnifred!

Greatest Classic Girl Names

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