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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.

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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 Confused

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 Wink

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 Grin!

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.