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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help with boys names - Clem, Louis or Leo

55 replies

Penny19 · 23/07/2023 19:31

After years of miscarriages and IVF, we are finally going to have a baby boy in November. My name was always rare and loved being the only one. I know it is a little harder for boys names, but I would like it to be a little unique but not out there. I like Leo and Louis but I know they are so popular right now (despite not being that common when we first started to try!) I also like the name Clem which is obviously less common (clement, which i am less keen on, but could always be called clem) I know someone lovely with that name, so maybe I am a bit biased. Would love any thoughts, open to honest (but kindly expressed!) thoughts. 😂

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Scottyme · 24/07/2023 01:40

Just want to say congratulations, IVF is a terribly hard journey. People will always have an opinion whatever you choose to call him so just go with your gut xx

Original poster
Penny19 · 23/07/2023 22:41

Firstly, thank you all so much for your replies! Really appreciate it.😍

@MrsSamR thank you! And for your suggestions, I love your choices. We did have Herbert as a contender but it doesn't really go with our surname I don't think, but I do really like herb / herbie, esp for a little boy.

Clem got the polarising reaction I thought it would 😂Which is to be expected with less common names - always a bit marmite. Some of the pushback on it is fair and helpful, except I don't think the rhyming with phlegm is a show-stopper, as most names can be made to rhyme with something negative e.g. louis rhymes with pooey! The male Clem(ent) I know is often called clemo or cle (pronounced clay) which are nice nns (I think)

@Rainbowfruitpunch - I really like the connection with Clem Atlee too!

@ItsNotRocketSalad - I forgot about that clem, he was a nice demon though!

Feedback on Louis also v helpful - the spelling thing is a fair point but I think Prince Louis may help with that - although the fact it is a royal name isn't a positive for me personally.

Leo is no.2 in my area (london). So our current favourite 2 options are either super common or completely unusual. Perhaps will just have to decide when we meet him!

OP posts:
ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 23/07/2023 22:28

ItsNotRocketSalad · 23/07/2023 20:50

Louis and Leo are both nice. Please don't call a baby Clem. This is the only person who can pull off being called Clem.

The only Clem that came to my mind too!

I'd go with Louis tbh

philautia · 23/07/2023 21:38

As several PPs have said, Clem rhymes with phlegm. But also where I'm from a clem is a testicle, so it wouldn't be a name used round here.

As an aside, I loved the name Clementine but couldn't use it for this reason.

Louis and Leo are equally lovely in my opinion.

BungleandGeorge · 23/07/2023 20:54

I quite like clement, clean is fine as a shortening. If you want unusual don’t go for either of the other 2. Clemmie and clem are quite popular for girls though

ItsNotRocketSalad · 23/07/2023 20:50

Louis and Leo are both nice. Please don't call a baby Clem. This is the only person who can pull off being called Clem.

Help with boys names - Clem, Louis or Leo
OliviaFlaversham · 23/07/2023 20:48

I know 5 (I know!) Clems who are all girls.

I like Louis but too have a moment each time I see it questioning how to say it!

Leo is quite popular around here but it is a great name.

WhatADrabCarpet · 23/07/2023 20:48

Clem is utterly daft. Sorry.

FlamingYam · 23/07/2023 20:45

I thought Clem was a girls name? Short for Clementine. I wouldn't use it for a boy.

BeaLola · 23/07/2023 20:45

If I had been naming a DS my choices would be from

Max
Peter
Nathaniel nn Nate
Kit

I recently met a gorgeous toddler called Saul and at college 30 years ago has a classmate called Seth who was pretty cool

CatMattress · 23/07/2023 20:25

Leo certainly much more popular now than when I had my DS 10 years ago (it was in our shortlist and I don't think it was even in the top 100)

What about Max?not whacky or hard to spell, but I don't know any young maxs

FayCarew · 23/07/2023 20:23

Clem makes me think of clam.
Leo and Louis are very popular, but are nice.

Jongleterre · 23/07/2023 20:22

Liam?

ThePoetsWife · 23/07/2023 20:21

How about Leon?

Royalbloo · 23/07/2023 20:14

How about Lenny?

Royalbloo · 23/07/2023 20:14

I know a Clem but it's a she - Clemmie. The others are fine

LifeIsHardAlways · 23/07/2023 20:06

Not Clem, inevitably end up being called phlegm.

Rainbowfruitpunch · 23/07/2023 20:05

I like Clem, I think it works on a boy but he’s not a child for long anyway. I would definitely use Clement for when he’s older. Reminds me of Clement Attlee the well respected former PM.

Leo and Louis are just so popular… Louis is probably on its way out now as well. Leo doesn’t hold the same dignified feel as Clement or Louis. If you like French names with L sounds how about Loic, Emil, Leon, Lucien. I’d probably just go for Clement shortened to Clem though.

PurBal · 23/07/2023 19:56

I knew a Clem at school. I love it. Not heard it in ages.

OverTheCountryClub · 23/07/2023 19:54

I love the name Leo - I'd definitely use it and really wanted it for ds1 but unfortunately dh has a nephew called Leo so he vetoed! I don't think popularity matters if you really love it.
I think Clem is a great name actually. Unusual but not totally off the wall. I think it works well.
I don't like Louis which is weird as it is very close in sound to Leo! Can't put my finger on why, but I've never liked the name.

shoopshoopdedoo · 23/07/2023 19:48

I really like Leo, but it does seem very popular - I know several toddlers called Leo.

I’m not particularly keen on Clem, but it could grow on me. I’m not sure (helpful)…

Personally, I’ve always really disliked Louis. I’m not sure why. I know lots of people love it.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 23/07/2023 19:45

Clem makes me think of Deliverance for some reason.

I like Leo but always think it feels like it's missing something. I have a lovely Leo I'm very close to and often end up calling him Leonardo.

Louis is very popular.

BusterGonad · 23/07/2023 19:43

Clem Fandango.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 23/07/2023 19:41

I like Louis the best out of those 3 but would it bother you that some people would initially assume it is Lou-ee and some would say Lou-isss? That would annoy me and I didn't use one of my favourite names for that reason!

Clem makes me think of inclement weather.

I like Leo but it might not be as rare as you would want. In my area it's not overused but there are some in most school years that I know.

Isitthathardtobekind · 23/07/2023 19:39

Clem for me. I know one young teen called clem but have not come across any others.