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Baby names

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Original poster

Leah v Leonie?

43 replies

IVFbeenverylucky · 20/01/2023 15:47

Now I'm in the very early stages of pregnancy with DC3. First two were girls and so if a DS name long planned. If another DD (and I sort of thing it will be), then I'm undecided between Leonie and Leah.
I love Leonie, however I worry it is too weird (I've never met anyone with the name), and doesn't sound great and is a bit sing song, with my surname which has 2 syllables and ends with a y. Also, a bit concerned people might pronounce it in different ways which would irritate my. For me it is Lee-OH-nee.
I like Leah a lot and it's not all all weird and goes well with surname. I just prefer Leonie and it's a bit more exotic/exciting.
Views?

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17caterpillars1mouse · 22/01/2023 15:34

I prefer Leah to Leonie but I prefer Leonora to both

Rickandmortified100 · 22/01/2023 13:55

Leonie is nicer. Pronounced Lee-oh-nee (never heard it pronounced any other way). Leah is a bit boring.

Purpletopaz42 · 22/01/2023 13:31

I prefer Leonie, I think it's a lovely name and I don't think it's weird at all, I know two Leonie's

itsabigtree · 22/01/2023 07:49

@IVFbeenverylucky it was in my particular area anyway.

That doesn't matter anyway though. It's a nice name and either will be lovely on your baby.

ChimChimeny · 22/01/2023 06:58

I know a Leonie in her 40's, pronounced Lay-on-ee just to add in another potential pronunciation! And a younger one Lee-oh-nee

MissMarplesbag · 22/01/2023 06:55

Leona is more classier sounding than Leonie.

Original poster
IVFbeenverylucky · 22/01/2023 06:53

@itsabigtree Wasn't aware there was a trend around 20-30 years for it. That passed me by. I don't think it was that big though? I'll look at the baby name stats!
@DisplayPurposesOnly Not having an accent on the e. That will just make her life even harder for her in the digital age.
@mathanxiety Surname ends with sound like "see" not "nee"
@greenteafiend Not keen on Leona. If it's not Leonie, then Leah. Surprised by the strong reaction against Leah by lots of pp tho - I though it was a fairly bland name that would not arouse strong feelings.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 21/01/2023 16:16

'Leonie Casey' would be fine.

'Leonie Mooney' would not. If your surname ends in a nee sound then I'd choose Leah.

LockInAtTheFeathers · 21/01/2023 14:52

Leah for me. I was at school with a Leonie (pronounced as you would OP) but she was constantly called LAY-uh-ne by different teachers when reading the register, etc.

greenteafiend · 21/01/2023 14:37

We don't know the surname, but if you think it sounds odd, it probably does.

What about Leona or Leola?

BevMarsh · 21/01/2023 10:29

Prefer the classical Leah.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 21/01/2023 10:25

I've always pronounced Leonie as LAY-oh-nee. It should have an accent on the E (Léonie).

Olios · 21/01/2023 10:18

Leonie is more unusual

RuthW · 21/01/2023 10:10

Leonie. Only one way to say it and much nicer than Leah.

havemybreakfastthen · 21/01/2023 00:29

Definitely not Leah.....Leonie is much nicer

dustydewdrop · 21/01/2023 00:19

I much prefer Leah. Although I agree with how OP would pronounce Leonie.

itsabigtree · 21/01/2023 00:17

Love Leonie. Most people would know how to say it. Was my favourite name, but DH named latest child!

Leah - not keen. Loads of them from growing up in 90s/2000s. Not quite due a comeback yet I don't think.

DramaAlpaca · 21/01/2023 00:07

I like both but prefer Leonie. I pronounce it your way, OP.

cravingtoblerone · 20/01/2023 22:57

Leonie is a great name 🙂

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/01/2023 18:03

IVFbeenverylucky · 20/01/2023 17:59

@dinmin I was aware of the weary think but it doesn't bother me. I doubt many people know, and she is third so weary seems about right!
@HandsOffMyCarrierBags Did you mean to say Leonine? I've never heard of it. I like it and it goes better with my surname, but that it defo weird.
@Brandyb "Don't overthink the surname" - I'm not changing my surname!; don't want DD3 left with a silly name - It would sound/rhyme a bit like "Leonie Casey". It's a mouthful, and although I'm fine with "leo" as a nn, the full name still has to work, and there's where I'm just not sure.

Leonie Casey sounds fine to me

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/01/2023 18:02

Leonie - I like it - I think lee-OH-nee is standard, though I have heard Lee-uh-nee There’s nothing weird about it, lots of Leos around.

Leah is alright, but blurs with all the similar names (Lola, Lara, Lila, Luna, Lena, Lyra, Leila)

NoraVanDoogle · 20/01/2023 18:01

Not a fan of either but if any Leah - but do think they are both overused (for my taste)

Original poster
IVFbeenverylucky · 20/01/2023 17:59

@dinmin I was aware of the weary think but it doesn't bother me. I doubt many people know, and she is third so weary seems about right!
@HandsOffMyCarrierBags Did you mean to say Leonine? I've never heard of it. I like it and it goes better with my surname, but that it defo weird.
@Brandyb "Don't overthink the surname" - I'm not changing my surname!; don't want DD3 left with a silly name - It would sound/rhyme a bit like "Leonie Casey". It's a mouthful, and although I'm fine with "leo" as a nn, the full name still has to work, and there's where I'm just not sure.

OP posts:
Twoinapod · 20/01/2023 17:54

Leonie is common enough that most people will pronounce it correctly. As far as I’m aware Le-OH-nee is the only way to say it although I know it’s become more trendy to take a common name and create a new way of pronouncing it.

Leah is a bit bland

Lennybenny · 20/01/2023 17:48

I know 3 Leonie's. It's definitely Lee oh née. Leoni(sounds the same) Lay oh nee(weird pronunciation)
It is unusual but I like it😉

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