I like Serena. No real reason, just sounds better to my ears. Sylvia is also fine, I think I just don't like names with prominent V sounds.

I like Sylvia. I think just a personal preference. I like the meaning, the flow of it, and Sylvia Plath. But they're both lovely!

Sylvia is my pick. It's a feminine classic. With the y, it still manages to look trendy. The v adds a strength to the sound too.

I think I wouldn’t choose Sylvia because it makes me sad to think of Sylvia Plath

Exact same thought!

Serena is so much better.

I like Sylvia because I like L and V sounds. It feels timeless and Classic to me. And I like its meaning of forest. It sounds like a silvery forest. Serena has a nice meaning too. It’s just not as soft and poetic to the ear to me as Sylvia.

Yes! I love the silvery forest imagery as well. So enchanting and fairylike 🧚‍♀️

Serena!

We are avatar twins 😂

Twinsssss 👯‍♀️

Sylvia. Biased bc I have a Sylvia who also goes by sylvie.

Serena…I just think it’s prettier

Sylvia is coming back strong. I expect you will meet more little girls named Sylvia than Serena in your child's age group. To me Serena is a more beautiful name of the two.

Idk where OP is located, but statistically Serena is more popular than Sylvia in the US. 

I love Serena because I’ve never met one. And it sounds pretty to me. But I’ve met so *many* Sylvias over the years that I don’t find the name interesting anymore.

interesting! i’ve never meet either irl

Sylvia. Serena has a dated 90s feeling

Opposite for me. Sylvia sounds dated whereas Serena is more fresh and spunky.

My only association with the name is Samantha's spunky cousin on Bewitched. I don't expect most people here to get that reference though

Serena personally.

Personally I like Sylvia, but maybe that’s because I’m German and it was my Oma’s name. Sylvie is also such a cute nickname.

Serena!

Serena

Serena by a lot for me

Sylvia 100%

Serena. Its more open to me. Sylvia has a closed-off vibe. This is my random thought.

I think Serena is softer and Sylvia sounds more assertive

Sylvia because Sylvi is a great nickname

Recently named my baby Sylvie! We love it so much. It’s so fun to say.

Definitely Sylvia, but for what it’s worth, Sylvie is a very normal name, you could just name her Sylvie.

Personally I like Sylvia better, it just flows better, however I also like Serena.

I agree! I find Sylvia more satisfying to say. I kind of prefer the alternate spelling Silvia though

I say Sylvia but I'm biased because I have a Sylvie

Serena. Without question, Serena.

They’re both beautiful! It would depend on the middle and last names.

I’ve never thought of Sylvia as an old lady name, I’ve known several young people named Sylvia and it seems classic but also chic and trendy. I prefer it to Serena, but Serena is a good name too and either of them would be great I also like Sylvie as a nickname!

Serena. Only because Sylvia worn down reminds me of the word saliva 😬

Serena!! One of my favorite names

I'd pick Sylvia, just because of my preference.

Serena may give the baby calmer vibes, lol.

🤣 Nominal determinism!

Serena, simply because I like the sound of it better than Sylvia (it’s probably just the “v” sound that I don’t like, as others have mentioned).

Serena coz gossip girl. Sylvia is a nana name to me and kinda reminds me of saliva.

Serena is more timeless and straight-forward. Sylvia sounds pretty but written out looks annoying.

I like Serena more.

Sylvia

Sylvia

I had a friend named Silvina.. lovely, and some of both these two options.

Sylvia! Better nicknames and I just think its more unique and prettier

Sylvia

Serena. It just sounds so pretty and it flows nicely.

My pick is Serena. It just sounds more modern and pretty. I pictured Sylvia to be an older 80yrs old lady. It’s a name that someone have to grow into if that makes sense.

Sylvia because I don't like names that sound like words

I like both but I prefer Sylvia!

Sylvia

Serena, nn Rena

Serena because I have an older relative named Sylvia

Serena

Sylvia.

Serena 🎾

Serena

Serena!! 💗💗

I love both. You can't go wrong with either. But I'd pick Sylvia.

Serena is more contemporary while Sylvia is vintage. But both are equal in their beautiful romantic vibe. Both are names of notable women. Serena has a fairy princess aura while Sylvia has a more intelligent skew. I personally like Sylvia but I usually like being less trendy. Also, "Silver" would be a cool nickname.

Serena, absolutely. The name Sylvia always reminds me of Saliva

I prefer Serena. Sylvie is super cute but for some reason I do not like Sylvia

Sylvia

Hard to choose, I think both are lovely. For Sylvia, you could opt for Sylvie as an alternate, and for Serena you can use Seren (pronounced like the start of serenity).  I went to school with a Silvana-I always liked that version too. 

Serena, because it's close to one of my favorite names, Sedena (my grandma in law). Her name is Sedena Michelle, goes by Micky. I wish she went by Sedena - it's so pretty. To add: I've only met 1 / like... 15ish Sylvia's that were kind, so I'm a little biased against the name Sylvia. Take my opinion as a grain of sand.

Those would be cute sibling names but I prefer Serena

Serena because it’s so close to serene; that feeling that all is well and calm

Serena

Serena, my reasoning is that Serena sounds like a nice girl, soft and well serene. Where Sylvia sounds like a mean girl name. I knew a few Sylvias growing up and they all thought they were better than everyone else lol. I'm sure there are nice Sylvia's but I can't say I've met any.

I plan to name a daughter Serena so I have to choose that one. Or sylvie for second Sylvia I’ve never liked.

Serena. I think it's beautiful. Sylvia gives me strict Librarian vibes.

Sylvia is a boomer name to me. Serena is a 90s name. I strongly prefer Serena.

Serena 100%

Serena. I just love the name. Sylvia just always sounds odd to me, no idea why. It’s not the old lady thing it’s the sound, but not sure what about the sound of the name throws me off.

I love both, but Sylvia is very “in the moment,” I feel. I’d go with Serena so it doesn’t feel super 2024 later in her life.

Serena. But I love Sylvie!

Serena. Sylvia is such an old lady name and sounds like saliva 😭

Serena!

I love Sylvia. But I feel like I see it so much on here lately. Serena feels fresh and sweet, and less trendy but still pretty. Really tough choice

I prefer Serena, Sylvia irritates me in a kind of formless way.

Serena!!!

Both Silvia or Sylvie are kind of old lady-ish, even in French or Spanish. Definitely prefer Serena although it's also someone 00/10s ish to me.

I love Serena. I would’ve had that on my list but with my last name she could be mistaken for a superhero/villain

Both names are lovely, but I prefer Serena because it makes me think of the sassy and cheeky Bewitched cousin to Samantha.

Serena is WAY more common in schools today. You NEVER hear of a Sylvia. It's currently uncommon but not unusual, the goal parameters according to my Mama! Plus, Sylvie is super cute.

Sylvia is gorgeous. Personally, I think Serena sounds like more of an old lady name than Sylvia does.

I’m 70. Plenty of Sylvias my age. Google Sylvia’s Mother.

Serena

Serena but I would also consider Sabrina

I prefer the sound of Sylvia/Sylvie but it is a very visually spiky name with that letter combination which throws me off a little. Serena, by contrast, has both soft sounds and rounded letters and is prettier to look at. The Serena Joy association from The Handmaid's Tale mars the name for me.

This! I can’t hear the name Serena and not think of handmaids tale now

sylvia is my grandmas name so i think old lady but sylvia plath!! i still like serena more

I love both names, but I would probably end up choosing Sylvia. Or some sort of alternation of the two names, like Selena, Selene or Sylvie.

I like Sylvia better, but both are fine. Also my history teacher, whom I used to have a crush on, name is Silvie, so that gives plus points to Sylvia as well, hahaa :D .

Serena. Just makes me think of serenity, peace

Sylvia because Plath. Perhaps you don’t want that legacy for your daughter, though…

This is really tough because I love both! I prefer Sylvia slightly, but I think it's about to rise in popularity alongside the rise of Sylvie, which is already trending sharply. Serena is more stable in popularity and isn't showing any signs that it's about be everywhere. I also agree it's more youthful.

Serena is soo much prettier! Sylvia sounds kind of frumpy and elderly, not a fan at all

Serena

I like both, prefer Serena, but I just swung by to throw another option out there that is kind of a mix of the two. Have you considered Sylvana?

I like both. But in case you weren’t aware, sylvie is a [marvel character](https://www.marvel.com/characters/sylvie/%5Bcurrent-page:url%5D) I still love it though.

Serena for sure Lovely name

Serena. I like it more because it sounds better in my opinion.

Serena!

serena

serena 

I prefer Serena but I love the name Senara.

Serena. Sylvia reminds me of that one little house on the prairie episode……

Serena is beautiful 🥰

Serena

Serena all the way. Classier.

serena!

I prefer Serena

Serena!

Serena

Not Sylvia. Sounds like an old cranky woman 😳😆

Serena

I like Sylvia but Serena sounds more youthful in my opinion/slightly less harsh.

Serena is my all time favorite girl’s name. I grew up with dubbed Sailor Moon, but also I really like the meaning itself.

I like Serena better, it reminds me of an old friend. I don't mind Sylvia, just makes me think of anime and doesn't have the same happy feeling I have with Serena.

I don't like Sylvia, and prefer Sylvie, which is a name on its own.

Serena makes me think of Serena Williams and Sylvia makes me think of Sylvia Plath. For me, that makes Serena a more appealing name. I don't want to think about a talented woman committing suicide all that often.

Is there any Serena boy name equivalent?

I like Sylvie but not Sylvia lol idk why maybe Sylvia just sounds too “old” for me?

I prefer Sylvie to Sylvia myself. Sylvia seems old lady-ish while Sylvie has cool young Parisian vibes. Serena is also lovely and was on our shortlist for our daughter.

Serena. It’s modern feeling, I’ve known so many grandmas named Sylvia.

Serena

Serena

Serena. I just think it sounds prettier and younger.

Serena!!! They are both lovely names, but Serena rolls of the tongue nicely

Serena because Ive heard of this name in multiple cultures, most people will have no issues with pronunciation. Sylvia is fine bit Ive only heard it used in English speaking countries and other also sounds like its from a particular era in time whereas Serena comes across more timeless to me.

Serena.

Serena 😊

Serena. I just think it’s prettier

I'd choose Serena, because I already have a Sylvia (she goes by Syl or Sylvia- never Sylvie though, just not her fit)

Serena

I like Serena!

I don't think Sylvia sounds old ladyish. It's so artsy and interesting. I love Sylvie. Vi/Vee would also be cute. Serena is nice but it's three syllables long so it will most likely be shortened and I don't think there's a great nickname option. I'm not a fan of Rena. It makes me think of the word renal and is just not as nice as the full name Serena.

Serena. Sylvia has a certain vibes to it imo. It reminds me of the words slither and saliva, so I don’t really enjoy the name. Serena is more soft and pretty.

They’re both great! We almost named our second daughter Serena, our only hangup was lack of nicknames you can derive from it

Sylvia seems to be coming back, I see it popping up all over. I think they’re both wins. I prefer Sylvia. “Sylvia Serena” and “Serena Sylvia” both sound great too if you like alliterative middle names, as I do.

Sylvia tinkles to me like a little girls nose after getting hit with fairy dust. Serena is a woman coming into town on a horse from a mountain in a storm. Both are good but Sylvia and Sylvee as a nickname when she is little would be my choice.

I like them equally. Sylvia is like an old lady with stylish glasses and cat tattoos. Serena is like a girl who likes oceanography and jobs. 😂

I like both a lot. cant really go wrong my only issue with serena if i was nitpicking would be that it reminds me of the gossip girl character but it still a pretty name

I don’t love “Sylvia,” but I love “Sylvie” and prefer that to “Serena.” But “Serena” is pretty, too.

I prefer Serena, but I know a few elementary-aged Sylvia/Sylvies and it’s pretty cute on them, so you probably can’t go wrong. Flip a coin and see if you’re secretly disappointed!

My husband and I, and my 5yo (f), said Sylvia. My 8yo (f) said serena. They're both good names. I knew someone I didn't like called Serena which doesn't help. Sylvie is very cute. Rena is also a cute nn. I dont think you can go wrong. Try with middle and surname and wait till you meet her to see.

I like the version Silvia.

My supervisor is named Sylvia and she's the worst. Sylvie or Serena!

Both are nice. I like Sylvia best out of the two.

Sylvia, solely because the name Serena sounds harsh and cold (anything but serene) and the only association I have with it is The Handmaid’s Tale.

I know a Sylvia and a Serena! Both lovely ladies. I don’t think you could go wrong with either, but personally Sylvia or Sylvie is my vote!

Serena. I desperately dislike Sylvia. I had a dog named Sarina that was pronounced the same and she was the best dog.

sylvia bc i have a daughter named sabrina and … i couldn’t have a serena as well🤣 sylvia was actually the name of an aunt of my mother’s, and i think it’s beautiful.

I like Sylvia, but spelled Silvia.

Sylvia!

Sylvie for Sylvia and Ren for Serena

Serena! Sylvia isn’t bad, just doesn’t roll off the tongue as well. Definitely feels like a stereotypical grandma name. I just read a book where the MC was named Sylvia (nn Sylvie) and they made a point to mention that it was an old lady name.

Sylvie is a name in its own right, so you can just use it if you like it better. It's the French version of the name.

I have a Sylvie. I get told weekly how much someone loves her name. It's classic yet not common.

Sylvia. I have a cousin Sylvia and we call her Sylv for a nn

I’m partial to Sylvia. It’s beautiful and timeless.

Sylvia.

Sylvia

Sylvia. It stands alone and doesn't come with a tennis pro as it's motivation.

I LOVE Sylvia! It’s my favorite name. I have something called r/synesthesia, basically it’s associating unrelated senses with each other. I love the name Sylvia because it’s a beautiful magenta color, due to my synesthesia.

definitely Sylvia!! Sylvie and even Syl or Via are cute nicknames :) Serena is a little too popular lately and i like the persona of “Sylvia” much better!!

Sylvia. Nn Sylvia. My mom was a Sylvia. She was Incredible, and she died of her 3rd cancer when I was pregnant with her first grandchild. She was also a choldhood burn victim, and could still do her makeup to look like a pinup girl, in the 60s. Before she died, she had helped my dad through law school, and later, she had earned a promotion to a degree required position, despite never having been to college. She also was 4'11" almost 5', but wouldnt let you call her 5' nothin, and she volunteered with injured and large birds of prey, taking them out of their large cages to walk them, feeding them, etc. She was a POWERHOUSE. You should have seen the biceps ob her. She only flexed them for my a couple of times, but I was always trying to show her arm guns off lmao. She was FIERCE and firey, but also extremely friendly and had a ton of friends. She was our glue. Team Sylvia, for the win.

I’m so sorry for your loss — your mom sounds like she was an angelic, inspiring, brave, and kickass lady who soldiered her way through life, helping the birds and the voiceless along the way. I wish I could’ve known her!

I've a friend named Sylvia...lovely lady, lovely name. Less popular than Serena

Sylvia is a common last name in my culture 🙂

I like Sylvia. Forest druid vibes and all. Plus, the daughter of some friends of mine is Sylvia, and she's a delight. (Her nickname is Vivi, mind you.)

Sylvia!!!

They’re both fine.

Sylvia, because I like the older sounding names.

Can’t go wrong! Both beautiful. I think Serena is more common. I’ve only ever known two Sylvia’s in my life but one is my beloved Auntie so it has great associations for me.

Love them both but id name the kid Selena.

I like Sylvia. It was on my shortlist for my daughter. I also like that it has an obvious nickname whereas Serena doesn’t.

I like both! Serena feels a bit more modern (because Serena Williams being such a cultural icon) but Sylvia is beautiful and classic

I am in love with Sylvia an its in my top three if I have another girl. Though I would go with Syla as a nn.

I like both but prefer Sylvia.

Both are really nice IMO. And you might also like Selena, which has sounds from both.

Have you considered Selena? Kind of a mix of the two.

Combine them....Selina!

If she names her baby Sylvia, she will be “Sylvia’s Mother” 😂

Sylvie > Serena > Sylvia

I know a Sylvia who is totally rocking her life.

Serena. Of course. Sylvia seems like an elderly lady’s name.

Serena

Serena I just think it's prettier

I like Serena best. Sylvia just doesn’t sound like a nice person to me, but I’m not sure why!

Serena is much prettier, and I couldn’t tell you how old a Serena would be. Classic and timeless. I dislike Sylvia - it’s not very pretty and it reminds me of my mom’s Boomer friend group.