Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Baby names

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

Unflip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Is Leonie too weird?

110 replies

LewishamMum · 14/06/2021 09:40

I don't know the sex, but have loved this name since read it in a novel aged about 12. Never met anyone who has it though.
I always assumed it was pronounced Lee-OH-nee. I know it's different in France/Germany (where it originates), but that doesn't bother me.
I don't want my DD (if it is a D!) to go through life spelling and pronouncing her name for people.
How would you say it? I like unusual names, just not names where you have to spell it out all your life.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

IntermittentParps · 14/06/2021 14:23

I think it's nice, quite unusual. I only know one Leonie (an adult). She says it Lee-OH-nee.

Cotswoldmama · 14/06/2021 14:15

I love the name too, I would pronounce it how you do.

Cowbells · 14/06/2021 14:12

It's a lovely name. I associate it with the very lovely actress Leonie Mellinger, who I met when I was in my teens and she was unbelievably kind and helpful.

olidora63 · 14/06/2021 14:05

Leonie is a really lovely pretty name . I know a 21year old Leonie and she is gorgeous inside and out.

frecklefacee · 14/06/2021 14:04

One of my best friends is called Leoni, I think it’s a lovely name

ODFOx · 14/06/2021 14:04

My dentist (30s) and my DDs best friend are both Leonies.
I think it suits all ages but is accessible without being too popular.

Okki · 14/06/2021 14:03

My teen DD is a Léonie (lay oh nie). Never had anything but compliments about her name. Some people pronounce it Lee o nie but she's not bothered.

PineappleWilson · 14/06/2021 14:02

I know a Leonie (pronounced Lee oh nee). She's late 50s / early 60s so you're unlikely to have others in yr DC's class.

trevthecat · 14/06/2021 14:01

I know a Leonie, I've always really liked the name. Really girlie

Classica · 14/06/2021 14:01

Yeah, I don't see why anyone would think it's weird. Hardly an unusual name

Violetlavenders · 14/06/2021 14:01

Why would it be 'weird'?

Lovebug06 · 14/06/2021 13:55

I know three leonies. Two are about 30 and one is about 10. Not weird at all. I'd say its a normal name, just one you don't hear all the time which is nice.

prettybird · 14/06/2021 13:54

I like the name - I think nowadays there are lots of unusual names, so people are more used to checking out pronunciation and spelling.

Although the only "Leone" (pronounced Lee-oh-nee") I've cone across in real life is a large Fijian very good rugby player who plays for Glasgow Warriors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leone_Nakarawa?wprov=sfti1

Fnib · 14/06/2021 13:54

Pretty name! I have a friend Leonie, pronounced Lay-on-ee. I guess if you decide to go with it, you need to be clear on the pronunciation early on.

AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying · 14/06/2021 13:53

It's lovely.
I know a Leoncha nn Leo too.

Violetlavenders · 14/06/2021 13:50

I'd pronounce it as LE-oh-nie. A bit like Leon
-ee or Léon-ee.

I've never heard the middle O emphasised.

Jellybabiesforbreakfast · 14/06/2021 12:34

I love it. It was my choice for DC if we had had a girl but DH didn't want it (he wanted Arianna). Luckily we never had to fight that one out !

Blossomandbee · 14/06/2021 12:34

I know one, pronounced Leon-ee. It's a lovely name, not weird at all.

DumpyDonkey · 14/06/2021 12:30

Great name. Only ever met one who would be in her late 30's now.

Lee-oh-nee.

mygee · 14/06/2021 12:28

I think it's a lovely name. I'd use it!

RuthW · 14/06/2021 12:14

I went to school with a Leonie. She would be 50s now.

Lovely name.

LoopTheLoops · 14/06/2021 12:05

How is it weird? I knew one in school, never considered it weird? Prefer lee oh nee (not lay)

merrymouse · 14/06/2021 12:05

Leonie Snell is a character in the Archers.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/VyC15DHFkjkLD7hf66NqC/leonie-snell

KnottedFern · 14/06/2021 12:04

It's beautiful. My French cousin is called Léonie, pronounced Lay-oh-nee.

bridgetreilly · 14/06/2021 12:03

It's not weird, but it does have two different commonly used pronunciations, so she would have to correct people fairly often.

Unflip

1 2 3 4 5

Swipe left for the next trending thread