What do you think of...

[Cate29]

Leon?
Dh really wants us to use it as a first name, as it is very meaningful for him. I'm just not sure.

When I first heard the name some years ago, I really liked it, enough to consider it for a future ds. This was before I met dh so I liked the name on its own merit. Not long after, a chavvy drug addict who lived near me named her firstborn Leon, and the poor lad has been in and out of social care ever since. Since then, the name has always had negative connotations for me, and I generally think of it as chavvy.

What are your opinions on the name? I'd like to use it for dh's sake but want to avoid a name that generally makes people think 'chav'. I need some outside influence, please!

[dinkystinky]

If you have a spanish or french connection/link , then its a great name to use. Otherwise you run the risk of people mishearing and thinking the baby is called Leo - which will doubtless drive you crazy.

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

So it's only going to have 'chavvy', unpleasant connotations for people in your very limited circle. As such, I wouldn't let that link put you off.

It's a nice, underused name - and if you do give it to your DS, your association will 100% be him, and any other associations will totally be over-ridden. :)

[WorkWankWail]

I prefer Leo but Leon's fine

[Cate29]

I don't think anyone at all would make the connection, as they moved away anyway!
I just need to get rid of it in my own head and think of the name in its own right!

Thank you for the replies

[manicinsomniac]

I know an adult Leon who is a wonderful and responsible father and husband and a Leon who will now be about 14 who was a nightmare of a 10 year old to teach but from a very privileged background if that's what you're after!

I quite like it, though prefer Leo.

[AmberSocks]

Leon is really nice but also chavvy where i am from too so wouldnt use it myself.

[amandasegal]

one of my friends have a boy name leon, but everyone calls him leny :)

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I find negative associations like that impossible to overcome.

You can always use an "honour" name in middle name spot, so it isn't the name you use day to day, but is still there as a sort of declaration of remembrance or whatever it is.

And for what it's worth I don't like the name anyway

[dashoflime]

I like it. I don't think it sounds too chavvy at all.

[Cate29]

Thank you for your input! We're going to go with Leon. It means so much to dh, it feels silly not to go with it on the basis of a negative association. Now to think of a middle name!

[narmada]

I really like it, more so than Leo. Good choice