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Baby names

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

Original poster

Miles Leighton...

36 replies

Alanna527 · 17/11/2020 00:47

Our baby boy is due in March, and the first and middle names we have picked out are Miles Leighton. My husband and I both go by our middle names, and likewise he would go by Leighton. What are first impressions of this name for a boy? From what I’ve read it’s mostly been in use in the US and Canada.

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MikeUniformMike · 19/11/2020 18:06

I know someone with the surname Leighton and she says people misspell it as Layton all the time.

Using the middle name as the day-to-day name can be a pita.

Whatever name you use, make sure it sounds ok with the surname.

Peeteea · 18/11/2020 19:10

@Alanna527

Very interesting. We had read that Leighton is a place name in England and thought that was kinda cool, but I guess not! Ah well he won't know many people who have ever heard of Leighton Buzzard, haha. Boys especially going by their middle name is not at all unusual where we are from (the American South) so that isn't a concern. Thanks for the opinions.
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned at all, but it’s usually pronounced Lay-ton in the UK. I’m only mentioning it because a lot of baby name websites and commenters seem to record it as pronounced “Lee-ton” if they are more US/Canada based (though I’m sure it happens here too). My dad has worked with lots of people in the US who tend to pronounce it that way and he has to correct people a lot. Either is fine obviously, just a head’s up that it seems to be read slightly differently depending on where you are.
HalfBrick · 18/11/2020 17:31

I concur with the pp saying its a 50+ Welsh man's name. Though its not a Welsh name at all, just common.

Original poster
Alanna527 · 18/11/2020 15:37

Very interesting. We had read that Leighton is a place name in England and thought that was kinda cool, but I guess not! Ah well he won't know many people who have ever heard of Leighton Buzzard, haha. Boys especially going by their middle name is not at all unusual where we are from (the American South) so that isn't a concern. Thanks for the opinions.

OP posts:
Firebird83 · 17/11/2020 23:53

Don’t like Leighton but Miles is great.

Peeteea · 17/11/2020 22:36

Relatively common in Wales in my experience- it’s my dad’s name and I’ve met many others around his age. He was named after another older Welsh relative. So in summary... makes me think of 50+ year old Welsh men. I do like the name very much though!

jambeforeclottedcream · 17/11/2020 21:12

I want to like it because I like the flow of the name. But, it's too place namey for my taste

Ginandplatonic · 17/11/2020 20:52

@DramaAlpaca I’ve always liked yours too! Play on words user names are the best!

FippertyGibbett · 17/11/2020 20:31

It’s not unusual, I’ve met several in my job.

FippertyGibbett · 17/11/2020 20:30

Leighton Baines is a footballer.
I like it.

Smidge001 · 17/11/2020 20:27

Hmm... the only Leighton I know is Australian funnily enough. He's about 44 I think.
Agree with all the other posters

  • that it's not really very nice,
  • totally sounds like a place,
  • sounds like "miles late... on"
  • and that if you want to call him leighton then just make it his first name.
DramaAlpaca · 17/11/2020 20:20

No, it's fine @Ginandplatonic (love your username). No offence taken at all and I was glad to be put right.

Ginandplatonic · 17/11/2020 20:08

@DramaAlpaca sorry, wasn’t meaning to correct your spelling. Blush It was more that Leighton really isn’t a name here either - with or without the “classy” faux-Welsh Ll...

Chilldonaldchill · 17/11/2020 19:47

Miles is lovely.
Leighton reminds my of Leyton which is a place in North East London. It's really not a place you'd want to name your child after. Sorry but it sounds super tacky to me.

missmouse101 · 17/11/2020 18:58

Leighton is awful. Miles is nice. Please don't confuse the issue by calling him by his middle name, whatever you choose.

PattyPan · 17/11/2020 18:55

Two surnames = sounds like a law firm!

Tootsietoot · 17/11/2020 18:53

I would be embarrassed to say my name if it was Miles (too smarmy) or Leighton which is a place name.

emmathedilemma · 17/11/2020 18:50

I don't like either name on their own or combined but if he's to be known as Leighton for goodness sake do the child a long term favour and use it as his first name!

YoniAndGuy · 17/11/2020 18:50

It's pretty unpleasant. Like an impersonal place name, very 'motorway services'. How depressing.

DramaAlpaca · 17/11/2020 18:40

@Soomanybooks and @Ginandplatonic you are, of course, absolutely right. I should've remembered Lleyton Hewitt wasn't a Leighton. I'm doubly embarrassed as I'm supposed to be a huge tennis fan Blush Grin

StripyTigerTail · 17/11/2020 15:33

I don't like Leighton. It makes me think Leighton Buzzard. I like Miles. Nice name.

Oneandabean · 17/11/2020 12:49

I don’t think it’s that unusual for the UK. I know a Leighton in his mid 20s and I’ve know a few babies with the name in the last 10 years or so

FundamentallyFucked · 17/11/2020 08:23

Both names are perfect acceptable but for goodness sake don't call him Miles Leighton if you intend to call him Leighton. Just call him fucking Leighton. It's no cute nod to mum and dad who both do it, it's just an absolute ball ache having to explain and prove it constantly.

TicTacTwo · 17/11/2020 08:16

I live near Leighton Buzzard so couldn't pick the name for that reason Grin

I think of Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl (female)

WilsonandNoodles · 17/11/2020 07:37

Stacey Solomon has a Leighton. Its the only one I know of but it doesn't strike me as unusual and I think of it as a name over a place name.
I don't get the middle name being used over the first name thing. What's the reason? I went to school with a few people like this and it only seemed to lead to confusion.

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