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Baby names

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

Original poster

Lionel?

35 replies

Josiefuzz · 27/07/2019 20:14

Yay or nay for Lionel? Means Little Lion. Not sure if it's too marmite or not.

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whatausername · 29/07/2019 16:33

My post reads like drivel at the end 😂 in short, it's a yay from me.

whatausername · 29/07/2019 16:32

A resounding YES from me. Absolutely no idea who Lionel Blair is btw and unless he was a hugely awful person it probably doesn't matter about him

PetraRabbit · 29/07/2019 16:24

I love it. It's a traditional, rarely used name with a nice sound and a great meaning.
I'm 44 and it does sound old fashioned to me but in a good way. Lionel Blair? Really? I mean, millennials in their early 20s now wouldn't even know who he was, so how would the name lead to teasing? Lionel Messi is indeed a pretty cool association for a young boy. Lionel Ritchie is considered a legend- everyone likes the guy. A young Lionel will quickly grow into his name. If he wanted to be more ordinary he could always abbreviate to Leo which is very common these days but I doubt he'd want to. Ignore the outdated comments.

Pinkout · 29/07/2019 14:56

Richie.

Pemba · 29/07/2019 13:26

Absolutely nay. The world is not ready for baby Lionels yet. Leo is fine.

Whatever was up with Lionel Shriver that she took this for her name, when her real name is something very normal like Anne I believe. I don't think she's trans or anything so just why?

FlugTheJug · 29/07/2019 13:26

I love Lionel

LOVE IT

Ikeameatballs · 29/07/2019 13:07

I like it

Antonin · 29/07/2019 13:04

Lionel is a good strong name and I knew a great chap called this at Uni.
If one is going to be put off by every name used by a twat then what is left to choose from? With the exception of names like Adolf and Myra don’t discount them all.
Once your DC “inhabits “ his name then people will associate the name only with him.

FreddiesMammy · 29/07/2019 00:43

I have an irrational hatred for this name. So it’s a no from me, but there’s nothing wrong with it

Bookworm4 · 29/07/2019 00:40

Hello?
Absolutely not, do people forget these kids have to go to school? You know that place where you get the piss ripped out you?

Frith2013 · 29/07/2019 00:38

*rips

Frith2013 · 29/07/2019 00:38

Blair. Just reminds me of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue on radio 4 where Jack Dee tips poor Lionel a new one every week!

Sophronia · 27/07/2019 23:26

Messi is probably a more common association for the younger generation

Emmapeeler · 27/07/2019 21:22

To be fair though it is a sweet name objectively, and his friends won’t have heard of Lionel Blair or Ritchie Smile

Leonardo is nice as an alternative? There is one at DS’s school.

Original poster
Josiefuzz · 27/07/2019 21:03

Fair enough 😂😂😂😂 glad I asked but I still think it's cute, x thanks all x

OP posts:
Emmapeeler · 27/07/2019 21:01

This thread is making me chuckle.

Sorry OP, it’s not often I veto a name someone likes but...

HalfManHalfLabrador · 27/07/2019 20:42

Not a fan

IsobelRae23 · 27/07/2019 20:41

Is it me you’re looking for?

bobstersmum · 27/07/2019 20:35

Hello?

june2007 · 27/07/2019 20:29

Yes I like it,

PilatesPeach · 27/07/2019 20:28

nay, nay and thrice nay can't be revived imo OP

TheBiscuitStrikesBack · 27/07/2019 20:27

Lion-ell or Lee-oh-nell

MikeUniformMike · 27/07/2019 20:26

I think it's rather sweet.

fireworkbaby · 27/07/2019 20:25

I think it's lovely as is the meaning but the associations (Blair, Ritchie) might put me off as mean lots of people find it dated. Would love it if it had a resurgence though!

Jsmith99 · 27/07/2019 20:21

Lionel might be shortened to Leo, as in Messi.

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