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Baby names

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

Original poster

Austen, Heathcliff, Jacob or Leonardo - vote!

36 replies

Abeline · 26/01/2015 19:45

These are the final contenders for DS. Vote please!

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KenDoddsDadsDog · 28/01/2015 07:18

Leonardo for me !
Jacob is a quite popular but ok
Other two , I hope are hormonal thoughts ?!

ch1134 · 28/01/2015 07:14

Leonardo-cool
Jacob-too popular
Other two -silly

hlc123 · 27/01/2015 22:48

Austen/Austin

aoife24 · 27/01/2015 22:11

Heathcliff for me. I've sad this elsewhere: there's a photographer called Heathcliff O'Malley which I think is a fabulous name , sort of swashbuckling.

LollyLondon · 27/01/2015 14:34

Jacob or Leonardo.
Not keen on Austen and really don't like Heathcliff!

TempsPerdu · 27/01/2015 14:16

Really like Austin, but not Austen, which is too closely associated with Jane for me.

I'm a huge fan of unusual names, but unless you have Italian/Spanish heritage Leonardo comes across as a bit ostentatious and try-hard, and I'm afraid Heathcliff would simply be seen as ridiculous by many. Most people will immediately think Da Vinci/turtle for Leonardo and Wuthering Heights/'80s cartoon cat for Heathcliff, all of which your DS will have to live down. And as others have said already, Heathcliff isn't even a particularly pleasant figure to be associated with. Having said that, I like both Leo and Heath!

Jacob, to me, is just dull. It's a pleasant enough name, but I've heard it so often lately that it's no longer distinctive. Suspect it's also one of those currently trendy Old Testament names that will date (ditto Ethan, Noah etc).

Rhubarbgarden · 27/01/2015 13:55

I like Austin. But not Austen. Jacob and Leonardo are a bit meh.

I used to go out with a Heathcliff. He went by Heath and was always rather embarrassed by his full name, even though he carried it off rather well and it made teenage girls swoon.

CeartGoLeor · 27/01/2015 12:32

Why not the usual non-surname version, Austin? Are you a JA fan?

Please not Heathcliff. Far too identified with a notorious literary sociopath whose idea of a good time is hanging litters of puppies, a spot of domestic violence and digging up his dead girlfriend's grave. A tall order for an ordinary little boy. And everyone will assume you haven't read WH.

Jacob for preference. Leonardo sounds a bit operatic unless you are actually Italian. Leo? Leonard?

PartyFops · 27/01/2015 11:43

Yes Austenozzy! Austen is a great name, I agree! WinkWink

TheNewStatesman · 27/01/2015 10:26

They're all a bit weird except Jacob which is boring.

austenozzy · 27/01/2015 09:23

Not sure I agree Austen is that dreadful ... :-)

DamselNotInHerDress · 26/01/2015 22:50

Jacob is the best of (Imo) a bad bunch.
Heathcliff was a bastard, its a distinctive name and not one I like.
Leonardo just makes me think 'turtle', followed by artist - very poncy and I live in a poncetastic town and hear this name cropping up more and more.
Austen? No. Just dreadful.
Jacob, but by default.

carbolicsoaprocked · 26/01/2015 22:41

Jacob. Love it.

squoosh · 26/01/2015 21:44

Lordy me that's quite a list!

Austen does look a bit feminine. Austin if you must but I'm still not too keen.

Heathcliff - You cannot name your kid after that psychopath. Heath is gorgeous though.

Jacob - Nothing wrong with it but it's a bit 'meh.

Leonardo - bit frilly for a non Italian child. Leo is a good name though.

Leeds2 · 26/01/2015 21:40

Jacob

DramaAlpaca · 26/01/2015 21:19

Jacob or Austin (that spelling)

Fizzyplonk · 26/01/2015 21:04

Like Heathcliffe if went by Heath
Then Jacob
Like Leonardo if known as Leo
Then Austen as I'm not keen on Austin

Original poster
Abeline · 26/01/2015 20:59

Thanks for the input - I appreciate the choices aren't for everyone!

OP posts:
sianihedgehog · 26/01/2015 20:40

Bucking the trend, I love Austen and Heathcliffe, Jacob is UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY BORING, and Leonardo sounds notably Italian, which is cool if that's what you're going for.

austenozzy · 26/01/2015 20:36

ahem Hmm

Azquilith · 26/01/2015 20:29

Heathcliffe
Hmm
I do wonder if people actually name their children the things they suggest in these threads.

LemonYellowSun · 26/01/2015 20:27

I like Leo on its own.

My son had a friend called Heathcliff. He was known as Heath and tbh it always sounds like people were saying Keith!

Kundry · 26/01/2015 20:22

Jacob. Only because the others are so awful.

seaoflove · 26/01/2015 20:19

Austin (that spelling, as in Texas) is OK. I don't like the Austen spelling, and you would have to correct people a lot.

Jacob seems a bit run of the mill compared with the others.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/01/2015 20:17

Jacob

The others are, imvho, dreadful.

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