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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of the name Leonie?

95 replies

AnnaSparks · 14/03/2019 13:40

I love this very old French name. It’s not very popular in the UK so ticks that box for me, but also doesn’t sound too “out there”. What do you think? Also, nickname suggestions would be great.

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Sessy19 · 20/03/2019 05:48

I knew a girl who was called Lianne, but insisted it was pronounce Lee-uh-ney.

Lianne (lee-Anne) might be considered a bit down-rate round here, but Leonie is really pretty 😊

houselikeashed · 19/03/2019 18:45

just for the record, I know a Leonie (grown up) and she pronounces it Leer-knee.

zipip · 18/03/2019 06:52

Joining in a bit late but I have a teenage daughter named Leoni (Lee-oh-nee). When she was born most my family and friends hadn't heard of the name but liked it. She's had a lot of compliments on it and has never really had trouble with people mispronouncing. I'm quite surprised at the response to this thread, I'd never thought of the name as chavvy, then again if I had DD wouldn't have the name. It really suits her though, I couldn't imagine her being called anything else

EssentialHummus · 16/03/2019 18:00

I know a toddler one who is adorable, so only positive connotations for me. I remember her mum being unhappy about it being mispronounced though.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 16/03/2019 17:50

Argh sorry for rogue apostrophe!

bibbitybobbityyhat · 16/03/2019 17:46

Oh no! There really aren't enough Leonie's in the world.

How about Viola? pronounced like Viola in Twelfth Night? I think that's beautiful.

LadyRochfordsSpangledGusset · 16/03/2019 14:16

Shame.

Original poster
AnnaSparks · 16/03/2019 14:14

Thanks for the feedback! Taken it off the list so at least our shortlist is getting shorter.

OP posts:
chickensub · 16/03/2019 13:06

@Rhynswynd it really is in Oz isn't it. I can't picture a baby with the name.

LadyRochfordsSpangledGusset · 16/03/2019 13:05

And yes CanilKondo, These Old Shades, classic Heyer.

LadyRochfordsSpangledGusset · 16/03/2019 12:58

I think it's a beautiful name with interesting etymology, especially the French accented version.

I'm never influenced by what snobs think, positive or negative. That way lies sanity :)

Heyha · 16/03/2019 12:52

Taught a couple about 5 years ago (so born around the millennium) both nice 'normal' girls.

Yika · 16/03/2019 12:48

I love it, very surprised to hear that it's considered chavvy - I think of it as quite a posh name.

ViserionTheDragon · 16/03/2019 12:05

Another vote for chavvy, sorry OP.

Moominfan · 16/03/2019 11:55

What about Lenora?

Kokeshi123 · 16/03/2019 11:55

I like it.

Stormyday · 16/03/2019 09:06

Lovely. I know a German one.

Sophronia · 16/03/2019 09:02

I like it but there are a lot of different pronunciations!

MeredithShepherd · 16/03/2019 06:44

I love it. My DS is Leo but if he was a girl would probably have been Leonie.

Yogagirl123 · 16/03/2019 06:34

I like it

mathanxiety · 16/03/2019 06:32

I knew quite a few in school in Ireland in the 70s and early 80s. French names were very popular in Ireland back then (at least on the south side of Dublin anyway)...
All pronounced it Lee-OH-nee.

BadTigerKitty · 16/03/2019 00:51

I grew up with a relatively posh Leonie, born late 70s. Know a 5 year old Leona. Love both names.

PinkPupZ · 16/03/2019 00:41

I know 2 and love it. It's sometimes spelled Leoni without the E like Naomi doesn t have the E.

LividLaughLove · 15/03/2019 15:26

Leonie was born in the early 90s. She had one of those clown necklaces from Elizabeth Duke.

sandytree · 15/03/2019 15:20

I knows Leonie and she gets v frustrated by the different pronunciations of her name