Final four - boy name

I love Marcus

Leo and Lucas get my vote. Marcus, I havent met an adult Marcus that I like so I biased against that one. Marius sounds too much like Mario and I can only see the super mario in my head.

This idea of a 'unique name' means you just end up with ridiculous names like Whimsy Lou which the child will not forgive you for. Or about 690 Lyras.

I've yet to meet a Lucas baby but think it's a great name.

Leonidas is fine but he might opt for Leon instead of Leo. I know one Leon! I would do a deep dive into his name-sake though.

Noah

I don’t like Lucas (it’s over used at the moment and we know a very naughty Lucas that we refer to as Lucifer Lucus, so that’s put me right off it!). I love Leo and Marcus, although Leo is also quite popular these days, so Marcus would be my choice of the four. I’ve never heard of Marius but it makes me think of Darius that weird singer. What about Theo instead of Leo or Rufus instead of Lucas? Just to suggest names that sound similar.

I also like lucas and Leo the best but they are currently very popular. What about another one I like... Magnus?

Lucas is a great name, the rest I really dislike

There are lots of people making the link between Marius and Les Mis, but I don’t think anyone has mentioned Gaius Marius, the Roman General who was the victor in the Jugurthan Wars and Consul of Rome 7, or maybe 8 times… Then again, I spent 4 years learning about that sort of stuff whereas most people don’t. I quite like it but the root of the name is associated with Mars, god of war.

Marcus has more philosophical connotations being associated with Marcus Aurelius… Of course Mark Anthony’s real name was also Marcus…

Lucas is very popular in my area - 3 kids in one year group at my child’s school are called Lucas. Leo was on my boy list, so personally I love that.

At the end of the day, people can make fun of any name, so just go with what you like best when your baby is born. Once you see them you’ll have a better idea of which name suits best 🙂

Leo. Absolutely Leo.

Sound fine to me.

🤣🤣🤣 yes! The biggest of them…🦁

Leo is a name for a cat!

Leonardo. He'll get Lee at some point. I know Ians who get called E. Seriously.

@WrongSortOfPoster no-one is shortening Leo to Lee 🙄🤣 not in my experience of the last 5+ years anyway! Granted we have many more to go yet, but I’m quite confident. Intrigued to hear how it can be lengthened, without the usual “ey” type extension.

Yes, as I said, you become more attuned to a name once you choose it. So you agree with me on something at least! 🤣

Of course it can be shortened - Lee. It can be lengthened too.
Names tend to be more popular in certain areas or groups, so the ONS is an informative source.
Also, if you have a child with a name, your ears will prick up when you hear of another one.

@WrongSortOfPoster well yes I confess I did not go to the lengths of checking the ONS 🤣 served me right then I guess!
I agree I think it works boy to man - and can’t be shortened or lengthened which I prefer. My second sons name on the other hand, can’t be shortened as only one syllable but gets endless extensions, I rarely hear his actual name used!

I love Marcus.

My cousin has the name of a Roman emperor too (August). Still, even if the names have a different heritage, they can still go well together, if they're of a similar 'type' if that makes sense! :)

Well, I've now added Marius to my list, so thanks for bringing it up! I hadn't considered it before, and now I'm really liking it, haha!

I like Lucas

What about Misha?

@Ginsoakeddryjanuary , according to ONS. Babies called Leo in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)
I appreciate that you might not be in England or Wales.
The 'baby name' sites are not reliable.
It's a nice name, works internationally and it will work for a boy or a man.You chose a good name.

@WrongSortOfPoster Depends on the source - when I was looking (and from a quick google search just now to make sure I wasn’t going mad, which is quite likely these days), Leo isn’t even in the top 50 on some sites.
I also think there’s something to be said for once you choose a name, you hear it all the time, probably because you’re more attuned to it

Leo has been in the top 20 most popular names since 2012 and in the top 10 since 2017, @Ginsoakeddryjanuary .

I named my son Leo 5 years ago when it wasn’t popular, and I thought it was uncommon but not odd, so perfect. Except it seems everyone having babies around the same time had the same clever logic, and it’s so over used now, everywhere I go with my kids I hear at least 2 other “Leo’s” in the vicinity. Also normally shouting “LEO! STOP IT!” (Mine included I hasten to add). There’s at least 2 Leo’s in my Sons year at primary, and I’ve heard others in the playground too. Just for context really if you want something less common.
I also named my second son an uncommon but not odd name, and then a couple of celebs used it too, and now…well…welcome to the common name club!

Lucas( Mine is 22)