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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I call my baby Lief?

63 replies

Tollygunge · 12/03/2016 14:47

Just that really. Expecting boy and have no name. My choices are Fox, Cassius and Lief BUT I live in a pretty chilled out part of a city where names like these are the norm. For example, we swam with a little boy called Winter. Will my poor child suffer with such a name? I would pronounce Leaf and we have no Scandinavian roots. Quite the other side of the equator in fact...

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Original poster
Tollygunge · 14/03/2016 20:58

And just to really mix things up, a friend today suggested Eden. Apparently a boys name too. I really like it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tollygunge · 14/03/2016 20:54

Baronness- that's the thing, I have encountered some fairly far out names. As a result, Leif would seem fairly normal to me and indeed most people round here. I'm aware this isn't the same for all parts of the country

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 14/03/2016 20:37

Lief means sweet, dear, lovely, cute in Dutch.
I wouldn't chose it for a boy to be honest.
That said, if I listed the children's names in DS' class, most of you would be laughing.

Raines100 · 14/03/2016 19:48

AKiss I have just spent the last five minutes trying to figure out what a "ballache"- possible French word, rhyming with panache- is. You'll be pleased to know I've got it now Grin

Stillwishihadabs · 14/03/2016 19:16

our neighbour's daughters boyfriend is called Lief, I thought it was Lev, he is lovely so we call him lovely Lief, go for it.

AKissACuddleAndACheekyFinger · 14/03/2016 19:15

It's a good name, strong sounding, whichever way you pronounce it. However, my first name is Kate. Except it's not-it's Cayt because my parents were presumably drunk when they registered me!! I cannot describe to you the total ballache of always spelling out my name-if you have a name that sounds exotic people always ask, if you have a name that sounds like Kate or Leaf people will automatically write it. You will condemn your son to a lifetime of name spelling and debit card alterations!

Deed poll was the best fifty odd quid I've ever spent. (Do I need counselling do you think? That was an impassioned rant! Apologies.)

Cassius is my favourite of your list-Cass is a cute nickname and Cassius is a splendid name for a strapping chap. Love your style.

vichill · 14/03/2016 19:11

I love it although I can only imagine a fair Caucasian child named something so obviously northern European.

Awholelottanosy · 14/03/2016 19:06

Here he is, what a cutie!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hihp_Jjdnsg

Original poster
Tollygunge · 14/03/2016 19:00

I'm actually not an X files fan but like the name. I think it's cute. Arpege, I wish I knew you in real life, you sound like a really warm and positive person. Thanks for your support!

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 14/03/2016 17:30

Fox...X-Files fan?

Arpege · 14/03/2016 16:49

So you pick a name that you can neither spell not pronounce?

Go you Hmm

Mouseinahole · 14/03/2016 16:45

My dd's bil and wife have just called their little boy Leif. I like it.

DramaAlpaca · 12/03/2016 18:47

My first thought was Leif Garrett as well also old

I think it's fine, spelled that way, if you like it.

BloodyPlantagenets · 12/03/2016 18:45

I knew an adult Leif, pronounced leaf. I like it.

Cerseirys · 12/03/2016 18:43

Unless your surname is Richards, then I say go with Leif!

DafferDill · 12/03/2016 18:27

I like Fox. I wouldn't worry too much what people on here say about it. I've come to realise that if they haven't heard a name before it's a "no way" until they've heard it a few times then it's 50/50 who likes it. When it becomes fairly popular it's a "yes it's lovely". Unless it's a chav yoonique name, then it's a "no way, not ever" Wink

HumptyDumptyBumpty · 12/03/2016 17:02

What about Liev, like Liev Schriebrer?

kelda · 12/03/2016 17:02

Lief, pronounced similar to leaf, is actually a dutch name. Short for Lieven (male) or Lieve (female).

Fletcherl · 12/03/2016 17:01

Raef

LuckySantangelo1 · 12/03/2016 17:00

Love all three but agree with other posters that spelling it Leaf would be best. Love the name Fox!

GRW · 12/03/2016 16:58

I know a toddler called Reef. I wasn't sure at first but now I think it suits him. Leif is ok.

DaphneWhitethigh · 12/03/2016 15:30

I think if you want to call your DS Leaf, pronounced Leaf, like a bit of the tree then that's absolutely fine. Nothing wrong with having a hippyish name, and DS can say "my name's Leaf, yes, like on a tree" for the rest of his life, which is fine (I have a name whose spelling needs explaining like that and it's perfectly OK).

Calling them Lief, or Leif but pronouncing it Leaf would be weird.

Original poster
Tollygunge · 12/03/2016 15:24

Ranatemp- thanks!! That's what I want. Anyone got any other suggestions?

OP posts:
brookeberry · 12/03/2016 15:23

I like Leif and Fox. Go for what feels right to you Smile

ranatemp · 12/03/2016 15:15

How about the spelling Leefe - name of a WW1 hero in my area? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leefe_Robinson

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