Page 3 | Baby name Leni

Joy1990 · 2024-05-20T19:34:24+00:00

Hi what are people’s thoughts on the baby name Leni? I love it but pronounced Lay-nee but I’m worried she would get called Lennie all the time? What would most of you see this name as?

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Longma · 20/05/2024 21:46

I would assume it was short for another name, unless told otherwise.

Similarly, I would assume it was pronounced Lenny, before being told otherwise.

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/05/2024 21:44

In that case unfortunately OP then I think you'll probably subject her to a lifetime of mispronunciations if you're in the UK. It's a beautiful name but I've always thought it was pronounced Lennie (and actually had it on my first baby name list thinking that's how you pronounce it 🤦‍♀️). I think you've got to cater for the uncultured brits and either call her Lennie or Lainey

LiterallyOnFire · 20/05/2024 21:39

RogueFemale · 20/05/2024 21:09

Avoid 'unique' spellings of names. They always sound awful and chavvy.

What that got to do with this thread?

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 20/05/2024 21:33

RogueFemale · 20/05/2024 21:09

Avoid 'unique' spellings of names. They always sound awful and chavvy.

It's really not unique (or silly as a PP also said). It's the 10th most popular German girls name and "Lay-nee" is the standard German pronunciation of the name Leni.

HeyLala · 20/05/2024 21:29

@supercalafragilisticexpealidocious

Yes, Leni is pronounced Laynee.
And the Greek version Eleni, is pronounced E-laynee.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 20/05/2024 21:29

sprigatito · 20/05/2024 20:44

It makes me think of Leni Riefenstahl

Same here. Her name was pronounced Lay-nee because it's a German name (short for Helene) and that's the pronunciation of the name. However if you are raising your child in the UK it sounds like from this thread you'll have pronunciation issues with the name being mispronounced as "Lennie". Plus of course Leni Riefenstahl herself, pronunciation issues aside, isn't the most positive of associations.

ACupOfTae · 20/05/2024 21:25

I know a Leni pronounced Lay-nee. She’s Swedish and gorgeous.

Helena/Helene is pronounced Hel-ay-na by most Europeans. I don’t think your spelling is problematic, OP.

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/05/2024 21:23

HeyLala · 20/05/2024 21:05

Hi
I'm a Leni. I love my name and it's always a conversation starter.
Europeans always pronounce it correctly, it's only the Brits that call me Lenny if they see the selling before meeting me. Something to do with the vowels, e is an a, I is an e.
Sometimes people have assumed I'm male and I've had great fun turning up to meetings and surprising people.

I'm so glad my mum chose this unusual name. My daughter wants to call her daughter Leni, if she has one.
I'd say call your daughter this name and keep the original correct spelling.
Heidi Klum has a daughter leni too.

Is Leni correctly pronounced Lay-nee then? I'm certain no English person would pronounce it correctly and I'm pretty sure Joe Wicks pronounces his Leni, Lennie.

QueenOfTheEntireFuckingUniverse · 20/05/2024 21:21

I know a Leni, pronounced Lenny. Short for Lenka.

sprigatito · 20/05/2024 21:18

RogueFemale · 20/05/2024 21:09

Avoid 'unique' spellings of names. They always sound awful and chavvy.

Nice little example of the intersection between snobbery and racism there.

Tlolljs · 20/05/2024 21:17

I know a Leni but he’s a boy.

aSpanielintheworks · 20/05/2024 21:15

Showing my age but my first thought was Leni from Neighbours, Charlene.

I do really like it though.

RogueFemale · 20/05/2024 21:09

Avoid 'unique' spellings of names. They always sound awful and chavvy.

HeyLala · 20/05/2024 21:05

Hi
I'm a Leni. I love my name and it's always a conversation starter.
Europeans always pronounce it correctly, it's only the Brits that call me Lenny if they see the selling before meeting me. Something to do with the vowels, e is an a, I is an e.
Sometimes people have assumed I'm male and I've had great fun turning up to meetings and surprising people.

I'm so glad my mum chose this unusual name. My daughter wants to call her daughter Leni, if she has one.
I'd say call your daughter this name and keep the original correct spelling.
Heidi Klum has a daughter leni too.

User6761 · 20/05/2024 20:49

I know a Laini (short for Elaine). I'd assume Leni was pronounced Lenny.

Moreteaandchocolate · 20/05/2024 20:46

I love the sound of it, so pretty. I would have thought Lenny from reading it, but mostly you introduce yourself by saying your name, so that wouldn’t be too much of an issue most of the time. Is there another spelling you like? I also like Leonie / Laone (said LAY-on-ee) as another idea :)

WhatThenEh · 20/05/2024 20:46

This reply has been deleted

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sprigatito · 20/05/2024 20:44

It makes me think of Leni Riefenstahl

catin8oots · 20/05/2024 20:44

I know a 7 year Leni and it suits her down to the ground. I think it's as Scandi name?

shoopshoopdedoo · 20/05/2024 20:44

I’d also presume Leni was short for Eleni, so pronounced like Lenny. I love it!

Would go for Lainey if you prefer that pronunciation.

floofyhouse · 20/05/2024 20:43

I know a Leni, short for Lenore, pronounced Lennie. It’s a pretty name.

TheChosenTwo · 20/05/2024 20:42

I’d read it as Lennie, if you want it to sound like Lay-nee spell it like Laney or Lainey or something like that!
Don’t choose a silly spelling at the expense of the name and the sound you like, you’re not sitting around writing it all day you’ll be calling it 😂

YesYesAllGood · 20/05/2024 20:42

LiterallyOnFire · 20/05/2024 20:36

I'd assume it was a nn for Helena. I like it.

Same!

Apollo365 · 20/05/2024 20:41

I think you should spell it how it’s pronounced otherwise she’s in for a lifetime of Lennie, sorry OP

scoobiedoozie · 20/05/2024 20:40

Short for Eleni. Pronounced Lennie. I know one. Love it.