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

Original poster

Opinions on Leo

30 replies

Scottish2girls · 05/10/2018 23:17

I’ve always loved the name Leo for a boy and thought it was unusual. But of course now that we’re expecting our own little boy I’ve been told it’s very popular and in the top 10. Me and my DH both have very common names, one of several in our school year etc. So we had aimed to pick less popular names for our children. However, I don’t know a single Leo at the minute and have yet to hear of any little baby Leo’s in our area. ( we live in Scotland).

So I suppose I’m asking, is Leo really that popular and would it put you off? Do you know many Leo’s and how do you view the name? Any opinions on Leo very welcome, even negative ones as we do have another few names which we are considering.

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DC18 · 05/10/2018 23:49

I know 1 Leo who is a baby and 1 Leon aged 6. It does seem quite popular in forums and obviously has jumped up the top baby names list. However, if you like the name then who cares. Even give him Leopold as a full name or something that's more unusual incase you find there's lots of Leo's at his school x

MaruMaru · 05/10/2018 23:52

I like Leo. One of my nephews has it as a middle name.
I only know of one boy with the first name Leo. He's about 12.

FastWindow · 05/10/2018 23:56

I like Leo too. Couldn't comment on the general popularity, but I guess you could Google that. The Prime Minister of Ireland is called Leo.

If you want unusual but not common... Look farther afield.

moredoll · 05/10/2018 23:57

I really like Leo. Don't know any.

3boysandabump · 05/10/2018 23:59

I like Leo and also don't know any.
All of my children have popular (in the top 10) names yet none of them have a classmate with the same name.
If you like it go for it

moredoll · 06/10/2018 00:00

But according to darkgreener it was 7th last year. That's in England and Wales though.

names.darkgreener.com/#leo

moredoll · 06/10/2018 00:08

9th in Scotland in 2017.
But I agree with pp, if you like it go for it.

user14869556378 · 06/10/2018 08:53

I had a very popular name growing up ( like Sophie) yet I was one of two in whole year in secondary school only and I never came across the other, so I wouldn't stress too much!

Azure83 · 06/10/2018 11:08

I really like it, made my longlist before being vetoed by dh 😂 I know of a couple of Leos born recently. How about Leon to make it a bit different?

LeeMiller · 06/10/2018 11:38

I know several under two in London and the south east, I'm not sure about Scotland. Its a very nice, fairly classic name but I think it is likely to be one of those names that's very tied to a particular generation as it seems to have had a popularity boom from nowhere. That's not necessarily an issue though, and as a pp having a popular name doesn't automatically mean there will be several in a class/school.

ReginaPhalange89 · 06/10/2018 15:29

I like it , I don't know any personally and haven't met any at baby groups or through my school age child ! I'm also in Scotland

Sunflower321 · 06/10/2018 16:11

Pretty popular, yes!

Foodylicious · 06/10/2018 16:15

I like it!
It was on my list, but a friend called her Leo couple of months ago so I think it's off the list now Confused

EssentialHummus · 06/10/2018 16:17

I know loads under two! London. It wouldn't put me off though; it's a great name.

ZolaGreySheperd · 06/10/2018 16:18

Well I have a really uncommon name as in most people need to ask about spelling etc, another one was in my class And my uncle married one Confused Leo is a lovely name, don’t let someone else having the same name put you off

BendydickCuminsnatch · 06/10/2018 16:19

1 year old neighbour is Leo and that’s the only one I’ve met so far (I have 2 under 4 so exposed to many babies!)

Sunflower321 · 06/10/2018 16:21

"don’t let someone else having the same name put you off"

Well, as the op said, they're specifically looking for a less popular name, having hated having a common name! So yes, it should put them off.

Parttimewasteoftime · 06/10/2018 16:28

Like it, only know one here.

teletuby · 06/10/2018 16:59

I think it's an okay name, I'd say it's fairly popular but not as overused as a lot of other names. I'd go for it if you like it Smile

weebarra · 06/10/2018 17:01

I'm in Scotland and know three, 2 locally in P4 and 1 reception child in Newcastle. I like it.

AmabelleOnabike · 06/10/2018 17:03

Leo's very popular where I live (west of Ireland) but most are older. I met a 16 year old one recently but other than that the next youngest would be 50.

I think it's a lovely, timeless and ageless name

RavenWings · 06/10/2018 17:08

As an Irish person, to me Leo = Taoiseach Varadkar. I have met a few primary aged ones, and then some more in their 40s.

Talith · 06/10/2018 17:10

Leo is lovely.

Disfordarkchocolate · 06/10/2018 17:13

I really like it but much prefer Leon. Go with what you love.

bridgetreilly · 06/10/2018 17:58

It is quite popular, but that's because it's a great name!