Mumsnet Talk

Hi all,

Baby is nearly here and we're down to two boy's names - Frank and Leo.
Frank would probably be Frankie when he's little. It wouldn't be Francis (as I would like) as DH hates it. But do you think Frank is now largely regarded as a 'proper name'?

Any thoughts/opinions most welcome!

Yep, I know a couple of baby Franks and I have a Francis (middle name), so watch what you say you lot!

your dh is wrong, francis is a great name :P

Personally, I prefer full names with NNs, so Franklin/Francis with Frank as NN makes sense to me. Or Leo as NN for Leon/Leonard.

I quite like Frank, Leo is ok.

ditto stake: Francis is a great name.

but you can do Frank if you want (i personally would always do the long/full name though because it gives him a bit more choice when he grows up)

ditto TheDevil.

Thanks all - I think Francis is lovely too!But DH is not going to change his mind, alas. I also much prefer 'proper' names with nicknames. Although in the case of Leo it is definitely a classic full name in its own right. We have another option - Michael - but don't like the nicknames! Do you think you can insist on people the full name (rather than Mickey, Mike etc)? It seems a bit controlling!

´Like Leo and Michael.

And Ithink it´s fine not to shorten-and to ask others not to!

if there's a possible shortening it will get shortened and there's very little you can do about it especially when they reach school age.

Frank is lovely and is definately a name in its own right imo.

I'm not keen on Leo..

wow - this is exactly same dilemma my friend had - baby was Leo for two days and has been frankie ever since - is frank in his birth certificate.

FWIW I think Frank is a great name - frankie is perfect for a little boy - go for it!

Much prefer Leo but Frank is OK in it's own right.

Frank is totally fine in its own right, IMHO. Like Leo, but love Frank!

I have a Leo so I love that (and peanutbutterkid - it is a name in its own right, not just a nickname name - there were many popes called Leo!). But I also love Francis - would have it if my DH didn't like it.

Would DH consent to Francis as middle name? Then he could be Leo Francis and if it ends up that you all prefer to call him Frank then he already has both names? Best of all worlds!

'Tis fine, though I do like Francis for full.

I have a Michael, and although generally I'm not keen on nicknames, I do find myself calling him Mikey, which is quite cute! Not keen on Mickey or Mike, but Mikey is sweet.

I like Francis as a name, with Frank as an abbreviation.

I always prefer the full version of names (at least for the birth certificate and to give the child more choice in the matter when older). Maybe people around here are particularly precious about names, but all the children seem to be known by the full versions of their names (Joseph and Abigail, not Joe and Abi) so I think if you introduced your son as Michael he would remain a Michael. Which is a fine name.

Francis NN Frank would be my choice. Leo doesn't do much for me.

Actually I like all three of your choices and none of them are overused. I never thought of Frank as not being a name in it's own right.

I think Michael would inevitably get shortened. I chose very simple names for my DDs that I thought were unshortenable, but their friends still manage it and actually, I don't mind now anyway!

Your three names all have a really different feel to them, so may be you just need to see which one suits baby when he arrives. Good luck!

Leo much better than Frank

With Frank I just think of Frank Spencer, so that would be out for me.

Frank is a name in its own Right, My Grandad was Frank

Great name

Oh I sooooo like Frank but think it might end up being overused like Archie.

Late posting but love Frank in its own right not as an abbreviation.
Leo lovely as well but Frank is a great name.

You MUST have Frank. It is brill.