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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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AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 14/06/2021 10:13

I know two. One is a 21 year old and one is 7. Both are lovely girls.

PattyPan · 14/06/2021 10:12

It’s on my list but we will be raising DC bilingually English/German. I pronounce it lay-oh-NEE.

Serenster · 14/06/2021 10:12

One of my mother’s good friends named her daughter (now an adult) Leonie, and I always wondered if it was because she was a Georgette Heyer fan. Grin

Alfiemoon1 · 14/06/2021 10:10

I really like it I know a Leonie who pronounces it at you suggest

Turtles4543 · 14/06/2021 10:10

I know a leonie, she’s 10.

IggyAce · 14/06/2021 10:10

I know one upper teen age, and pronounces it the same.

rooarsome · 14/06/2021 10:09

Love it, reminds me of one of my favourite georgette heyer novels! Sadly vetoed by my husband for DD as it was the name of an ex

toastofthetown · 14/06/2021 10:08

I don't think it's too weird. I went to school with a Leonie (pronounced Lee-oh-nee) and nobody really thought anything of it. And this was a pretty rural school with conservative naming; there were eight Toms in the year group!

LadyVymes · 14/06/2021 10:07

It is popular here in Aus among women of around 50. Due a resurgence

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 14/06/2021 10:03

These Old Shades by any chance OP?

I'd pronounce it Lay-oh-nee rather than Lee-oh-nee but I don't think it's too 'out there'

Sawyersfishbiscuits · 14/06/2021 10:03

I really like it.
Leonie
I also like Noèmie (like Noèmie Lenoir)

MrsCrosbyNRTB · 14/06/2021 10:02

Lovely lovely name. The actress who plays Lucille in Call the Midwife is called Leonie Elliott.

IsThePopeCatholic · 14/06/2021 10:01

No, not to my taste.

Dozer · 14/06/2021 10:01

Like it, and have met a couple of Leonies too, now in their 40s

msssm · 14/06/2021 09:59

I think it's a really pretty name 🙂

BiBabbles · 14/06/2021 09:58

No, I think it's nice, weird doesn't come to mind.

I'd probably use it as a nickname for Leonora or Leanora, just my taste in names with many options, but it's nice on its own too or as others said as a nickname for Leona.

RedMarauder · 14/06/2021 09:53

I've actually met two adult women called Leonie. One in her 30s and one in her 50s.

EloquentlyBrash · 14/06/2021 09:51

Have a cousin Leonie, she’s a teen. It’s a lovely name.

Synchrony · 14/06/2021 09:50

I'd pronounce it as you suggest. I know one in her 30s. Not too weird.

PrimulaPrimrose · 14/06/2021 09:49

As long as your surname isn't Maloney it's fine.

Backstreetsbackalrightdadada · 14/06/2021 09:49

Lovely! I know a very sweet and funny Leonie

OllyBJolly · 14/06/2021 09:48

Beautiful name. Wouldn't go with my surname so couldn't use it myself.

captainprincess · 14/06/2021 09:48

It's nice. I know a Leonia, but no one pronounces it correctly so she usually just goes by Leona Smile

TatianaBis · 14/06/2021 09:45

I’d pronounce it Lay onie being part French.

I like it. Also Leonora.

One always has to spell one’s name on the phone I find so I doubt it makes much odds.

romdowa · 14/06/2021 09:45

I met a girl while I was backpacking called leonie and she pronounced it the same as you and I always thought it was a very beautiful name.