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Baby names

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

Original poster

Does anyone know any people with this name?

92 replies

Soontobenewmum1991 · 10/09/2024 02:45

I'm compiling a name list for my first child, and if it's a boy then we'll name him Laith (Arabic for lion). Me and my husband are both British Pakistani. The thing is, I'm not sure if it would stand out or look odd on a boy of our background since one of my friends said that she thought we'd go for an Arabic or Muslim name. I then realised that maybe it doesn't sound like it's Arabic to a lot of people.

Does anyone know a Laith who's from the same or a similar background? Just looking for reassurance since hubby isn't too sure, but I like the name 😅

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LostittoBostik · 10/09/2024 08:11

I knew a Leith at school but I've never met a Laith.

I like it.

HotCrossBunplease · 10/09/2024 08:09

I was at University with one but I could have sworn it was pronounced Lie-EETH.
How would you pronounce it OP, out of interest?

By the way, I’m Scottish and it doesn’t come across as remotely Scottish to me!

(To the poster who said a British boy called Lion would get funny looks, that is true but Leo is of course completely normal)

Starseeking · 10/09/2024 08:03

There was one at my old workplace.

BigTwat · 10/09/2024 07:48

I've met one before. He was incredibly posh. I had assumed it was an aristocratic scottish type name rather than Arabic. (The person I met had a surname which I assume is middle eastern)

Followtopic · 10/09/2024 07:42

Lwrenn · 10/09/2024 06:26

@lljkk that's such a dickhead thing to say.

I love the name OP! Never heard it but its great x

Osama is another Arabic word for lion though. So actually, it’s a fair comment.

AlwaysKindaKnewYoudBeTheDeathOfMe · 10/09/2024 07:41

No I don't but I LOVE it!

It would fit in well here in Scotland along with the Angus, Hamish, Finlay, Innes fraternity of names.

OuterSpaceCadet · 10/09/2024 07:38

Two Laiths that I know of in my kid's school (diverse city, big school). At first glance with v different cultural backgrounds but learning that it's an Arabic name explains why. It is a gorgeous, gentle but strong sounding name. Definitely use it!

Wrongsideofpennines · 10/09/2024 07:36

I knew a Laith at a toddler group - he must be 4 or 5 now. He was mixed race but I'm not sure if father's origins as I only ever met Mum and Grandma.

Needanewname42 · 10/09/2024 07:36

greengreyblue · 10/09/2024 07:30

@Needanewname42 Lathe is a hard ‘th as in bathe’ and Laith is soft as in Seth.

Sound exactly the same to me Leith, Lathe, Laith, Seth

greengreyblue · 10/09/2024 07:30

@Needanewname42 Lathe is a hard ‘th as in bathe’ and Laith is soft as in Seth.

muddlingthrou · 10/09/2024 07:26

I'm half Arabic and it's my favourite name for a boy. Won't get to use it as about to have our second DD!

Needanewname42 · 10/09/2024 07:25

To me it sounds like lathe as in a machine for turning wood.

The reason it sounds Scottish is it's very close to Leith an area of Edinburgh.
I googled it trying to clarify the machine which I now know is spelt differently. And it comes up as a Scottish Surname although I've never heard of it.

DigbysMum23 · 10/09/2024 07:13

I do! His dad is Scottish and his mum is Persian. He is the most beautiful little boy. Gorgeous name!

tunainatin · 10/09/2024 07:00

I know a Laith, I think it's a lovely name and crosses cultures really well.

CuriousGeorge80 · 10/09/2024 06:59

Lovely name and meaning!

Zeeze · 10/09/2024 06:56

There was a boy in DD2s class called Laith. This is going back a few years though. We live in a very diverse area in London.

greengreyblue · 10/09/2024 06:44

Not heard of it but I like it.

Nightowl1234 · 10/09/2024 06:44

It’s lovely but I wouldn’t have known it was Arabic. It sounds Scottish to me! But does it really matter to you that non-Arabic people wouldn’t know it’s an Arabic name? I don’t think it really matters as it’s a nice name either way.

onwardandupwards · 10/09/2024 06:44

There's a child in my dd class with that name it's a lovely name x

Sunbird24 · 10/09/2024 06:41

I only know asad as Arabic for lion so I wouldn’t make that connection, but I think Laith sounds nice as a name

SpidersAreShitheads · 10/09/2024 06:38

Lovely idea, my only questions are a) will you be mixing with lots of Arabic speakers and if so, b) what will they make of a child called Laith? Is that more common culturally or would it make your child the subject of ridicule?

if there was a little boy at school called Lion, the name would probably cause a fair bit of merriment hence why I was asking about the Arabic community. To English speakers Laith is a lovely name - I just don’t know how it would be received by those who speak Arabic?

Flubadubba · 10/09/2024 06:35

Looking at the names in DD's reception class, ot really wouldn't stand out as overly unusual at all. Go for it if you like it!

susiedaisy1912 · 10/09/2024 06:34

Love it

BitOutOfPractice · 10/09/2024 06:34

It’s a fabulous name. I love it. Surely anyone who knows Arabic will know it’s Arabic?

CellophaneFlower · 10/09/2024 06:31

I know a Laith. His mum is Egyptian. His brother's name is Scottish though!

I really don't think it looks odd either way, just choose a name you love.