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Baby names

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Original poster

Leonidas

36 replies

Pullpush · 20/06/2025 21:18

Baby is half Greek with Greek surname (long but easy to pronounce). What do you think!? Big bro has an Ancient Greek name with an easy English nickname so thought this might work.

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EasternEcho · 22/06/2025 11:13

One of the greatest kings and heroes of Sparta. I like it.

LingThing · 22/06/2025 11:07

Jennyathemall · 20/06/2025 21:45

I think you’ll find most women’s first thought will be chocolate while men will think of the movie 300 and King Leonidas of Sparta. Considering most of his friends will presumably be male you might want to consider what they will do with that.

Female here who doesn’t get the chocolate reference! But thought king leonidas.

OP I love it

Needlesnah · 22/06/2025 11:04

I LOVE it!

I used to stop off at a cafe in London that gave away a free Leonidas chocolate when you bought a coffee, on my way to work, around 25 years ago. But it’s not a name for a chocolate company, it’s a name a chocolate company used - I would not be worried about the connection that some people might make on reading your post. I would not be thinking this upon hearing it. Go for it.

TheBewleySisters · 22/06/2025 11:01

I love the name, but had to Google the chocolate connection as I couldn’t understand why posters were mentioning chocolate alongside the Spartan hero. Never heard of this brand before now.

user1492757084 · 21/06/2025 12:40

Love Leonidas.

AnneMarieW · 21/06/2025 09:55

Sashya · 21/06/2025 00:57

There are plenty other beautiful and strong Greek names - why pick a the one that is a chocolate brand name?????

Most people will think Sparta imo. But what’s teasable about chocolate anyway? There are still loads of Zara’s despite the clothing brand. Even the occasional young Flora despite the sad potential for “spreads easily” jokes when she’s older. These were ancient long established names long before they became brands. Maybe if she fancied calling him Lindt or Hotel Chocolat instead I could take your point 🤣

Tiswa · 21/06/2025 09:30

Having said kids ignore names yeah Thanos might be a bit much!

Original poster
Pullpush · 21/06/2025 08:59

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

It’s definitely a “proper name” - just not an English one.

I can live with the association with chocolate (could be worse!) and Sparta.

Will almost certainly be Leo to everyone outside of home/his Greek family, which I like.

Other options would be:

Nikolaos - really like but I’m not keen on Niko and Nick isn’t good with our surname

Athanasios - love but Marvel has kind of ruined Thanos, which is my preferred diminutive

OP posts:
Shhhitsasecret1 · 21/06/2025 05:07

I love it! I have a Leo and often call him Leonidas affectionately.

But yes - also think of the chocolate 😆

Lavendersong · 21/06/2025 04:23

Yup chocolate

Tezza1 · 21/06/2025 04:22

I am a woman and the Spartan king was my immediate thought. Honestly? I love the name Leonidas, - I must admit I love classical Greek names, and Leonidas is such a memorable true historical character. Maybe Pericles is better? You will have to buy him the book, "Gates of Fire" by Stephen Pressfield about the Battle of Thermopylae. There were moves afoot to make it into a movie - probably starring Bruce Willis, who was born to play the character of Leonidas as he was written, or George Clooney - but "300" got into the market first. I loved Gates of Fire, and found it a very enjoyable read considering everyone knows the outcome. I haven't read 300 as I don't like graphic novels. Gates of Fire is apparently so highly regarded that it's required reading at West Point and Annapolis. It really felt like they caught the spirit of the Spartans.

There is an old Sunday afternoon on the TV movie called 300 Spartans, which has a very noble view of guess who. It was a Greek co-production with a very earnest and sincere Leonidas. I saw it as a kid and loved it and about ten years ago hunted down the DVD.

I sound like I'm besotted by a man who's been dead for 2,500 years. However, there are so many great Greek figures. I once taught a boy who was name Themistocles and none of the kids thought twice about it.

Don't get me started on the girls' names. Love them.

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 21/06/2025 03:18

Another one who thought of the chocolates. I used to go to a hairdresser next to a Leonidas, and used to go in beforehand and get a hot drink, and you always got to choose a free chocolate or chocolate-covered strawberry to go with it. Heaven!

Sorry to derail…. 🤤

Sashya · 21/06/2025 00:57

There are plenty other beautiful and strong Greek names - why pick a the one that is a chocolate brand name?????

AnneMarieW · 21/06/2025 00:54

Nice name with an easy/obvious shortening and works well with a Greek Surname. Something like Leonidas Smith/Jones might sound a bit odd imo.

BotterMon · 20/06/2025 22:16

Best chocolates ever. Great name for his heritage and easy to shorten.

Echobelly · 20/06/2025 22:05

Yes, I think it's lovely and very appropriate for a kid with Greek heritage. And it's good that it shortens to 'Leo' as well.

Moreteaandchocolate · 20/06/2025 22:04

I’m not too keen personally, but I love Leo for short.

Tiswa · 20/06/2025 22:02

DS (12) has a friend Leonidas they just call him Leo or Leonidas and don’t think anything more of it

I like it

I have said before though my observation is that we are so multi cultural and have so many different names children don’t think about it anymore just accept it

Dolamroth · 20/06/2025 21:59

My first thought was Sparta, go for it

thrive25 · 20/06/2025 21:59
  • 8 for chocolate, excellent choice & Leo is a lovely short name
LadyMonicaBaddingham · 20/06/2025 21:56

I knew a Leonidas at university who was known, almost exclusively, as 'Nido'. Lovely guy, taught me to make tzatziki like his Yaya did - largely because he thought my attempt was total crap. To be fair, he was right and ever since I have made very nice tzatziki, thanks. I will always have a soft spot for the name 😊

LinkedinLovely · 20/06/2025 21:51

Similar situation here but 15 years ago! It was our top choice but by chance four babies in our friends group were Lenny, Leo, Leon, Leonidas so we changed our minds last minute but I love it, works everywhere

stargirl1701 · 20/06/2025 21:47

300? This is SPARTA!!!

Jennyathemall · 20/06/2025 21:45

I think you’ll find most women’s first thought will be chocolate while men will think of the movie 300 and King Leonidas of Sparta. Considering most of his friends will presumably be male you might want to consider what they will do with that.

NescafeAndIce · 20/06/2025 21:37

I also thought chocolates!

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