Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

AIBU to call my son Leo?

31 replies

IWishIWasAFrog · 26/09/2011 15:16

Was pretty certain that we would call DS2 (due last Saturday but no sign of him yet!) Leo as a first name. Middle name Nicolaas (family name). Just told an (older) friend of MIL's, her first reaction was oh, you can't call him that, Tony Blair called his son that and he is so slimy Confused

So, baby name jury, AIBU to call my son Leo? DS1 is called Ben and we have a difficult Dutch surname that always needs spelling or correcting, need a short name that will 'work' and sound the same in Germanic languages and English.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Rhubarbgarden · 27/09/2011 13:29

I feel your pain - we have a difficult Dutch surname to contend with too. It's so hard to find names that work. Leo is a great name; I'd forgotten about the Blair. Glad you have decided to stick with it.

Original poster
IWishIWasAFrog · 27/09/2011 10:14

Damn politicians, they spoil everything. Cuts, expenses scandal, baby names, is there not one thing they can't leave alone? Wink

Thanks all, 99% sure we're sticking with Leo.

OP posts:
anewmotivatedme · 26/09/2011 19:55

My cousin was going to call her daughter Florence all through pregnancy, but then a fortnight before Cameron's daughter arrived into the world, and she felt compelled to change the name.

anewmotivatedme · 26/09/2011 19:54

Leo is lovely.

SunnilyEnough · 26/09/2011 15:36

(It is a variant of Leo, btw)

Original poster
IWishIWasAFrog · 26/09/2011 15:36

No, not MIL, she likes it. Tbh, no-one except for MIL sounds enthralled when they hear that Leo is our (more my) first choice, which makes me wonder... even my mum didn't really say anythig, tumbleweed moment on the phone, but think I am going to stick to it. I like it.

Now off to the allotment, perhaps that will get things going? Will check back later, thank you everyone!

OP posts:
SunnilyEnough · 26/09/2011 15:34

How about Lev? Works in both English and German.

GlaikitFizzog · 26/09/2011 15:34

Oops, must read things properly! Not your MIL but MIL friend! My opinion still stands though.

Ephiny · 26/09/2011 15:32

I like it, fantastic name. Had completely forgotten that it was the name of Tony Blair's son and I doubt that would be the association most people make (not that it's the worst thing in the world if they do surely?).

Leon is nice too.

TheyCallMeKipper · 26/09/2011 15:32

It is a lovely name. That is a truly daft reason, and I have no idea why your friend would say such an odd thing Hmm

ShoutyHamster · 26/09/2011 15:32

My DH is a lovely Leo too (starsign, not name)

Not that I believe in all that jumbly Grin

ShoutyHamster · 26/09/2011 15:31

She's bonkers - Leo is lovely.

Now if you were planning to call him TonyBlair Nicolaas, I would see her point.

GlaikitFizzog · 26/09/2011 15:31

Well I called my DS Blair, tell you MIL she is lucky you aren't using that :o!

I love Leo, I am one, hear me roar! Its got feck all to do with your MIL what you call you DS, she had her shot with her DCs.

Fillybuster · 26/09/2011 15:30

Its a fab name....don't let anyone put you off! My son is called the same thing, but in another language. And I know 3 Leos in my dds year, and they are all lovely.

Good luck with the birth :)

Original poster
IWishIWasAFrog · 26/09/2011 15:29

thank you thank you thank you! Feel a bit better now. Friend is MIL's schoolfriend who also lives in the UK and thinks she is a bit posh

OP posts:
Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 26/09/2011 15:29

As long as you use Leo, and not something poncey like Leonidas, or Leontes!

CitizenOscar · 26/09/2011 15:27

It's a great name. Don't be put off!

lolajane2009 · 26/09/2011 15:25

I think Titantic tbh, not Blair.

Meteorite · 26/09/2011 15:25

(no offence to Leo Blair by the way, I just mean your baby will be your family's Leo, nothing to do with anyone else who's used the name).

Witherhills · 26/09/2011 15:25

I love Leo too.
Have no idea why I would be reticent to use it, but I would

Meteorite · 26/09/2011 15:24

Presumably you're not giving birth to Tony Blair's son, so YANBU :)

meditrina · 26/09/2011 15:23

I'm afraid I think "Blair" too. But only you can decide if that's enough to put you off.

Leon, however, doesn't have the same taint.

Original poster
IWishIWasAFrog · 26/09/2011 15:22

thanks headfairy, you don't have a magic wand to get labour going do you? I thought it was a name that would do in all situations iykwim, cannot be shortened to anything, doesn't really rhyme with anything (thinking of horrible schoolyard nnames)...

OP posts:
MogandMe · 26/09/2011 15:22

I read it as Lego Hmm

So YABU to call him LEGO
YANBU to call him Leo - much more normal name!

Wimminsinit · 26/09/2011 15:21

Leo is lovely. Your friend sounds a bit bonkers.