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Baby names

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

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Original poster

What do you think of the name Leonie?

95 replies

AnnaSparks · 14/03/2019 13:40

I love this very old French name. It’s not very popular in the UK so ticks that box for me, but also doesn’t sound too “out there”. What do you think? Also, nickname suggestions would be great.

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itsabongthing · 14/03/2019 19:54

Like it. It was on my short list but I only like it pronounced LAYonee not lee-OH-nee and knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop people pronouncing it ‘wrong’ and it would get really annoying!

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 14/03/2019 19:55

DH used to work with a Leandra which I really like

GreigLaidlawsbarofsoap · 14/03/2019 20:02

I like the more French sounding LAYohnee. It isn't chavvy to me at all.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 14/03/2019 20:05

I would pronounce it lay-OH-nee.

I think it's lovely in all the variations.

Pemba · 14/03/2019 20:13

Of course it's not chavvy. Weird! Quite unusual, and a perfectly respectable French name, I quite like it.

foxtiger · 14/03/2019 20:15

I've only ever known one. She'd be about 12 now, I think. She came from a rough-ish background but was bright and sensible. I don't think her name was ever shortened.

HeronLanyon · 14/03/2019 20:22

This is an oddly fascinating thread. I grew up knowing a Leonie - Lee- owe- knee. I’ve always loved the name. Have never known another.

Have absolutely never ever thought it was chavvy. The one I knew had South African or possibly Australian roots (??). Formidable woman fiercely bright and has a wiki page to herself as leader in her field.

So only positives from me.

Bumblebeesmum · 14/03/2019 20:27

I wouldn’t have realised it was French. I’m not sure what I think of it - nice enough but don’t love it.

Essexgirlupnorth · 14/03/2019 20:34

My SIL is Leonie she goes by Leo it is a nice not very common name

littlegecko · 14/03/2019 20:43

I absolutely love it. It's one of my favourite girls names - but I have a Naomi, so couldn't use it for another girl due as they sound too similar.

HeronLanyon · 14/03/2019 20:45

Love naomi too.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 14/03/2019 20:47

Love it. I was at college with one - she was posh, smart and had a brilliant sense of humour.

Harebellsies · 14/03/2019 20:51

Very popular in Germany these last years, alongside Mia, Lena, Leni. Its similar to these last two, but slightly less common (as in popular)

yellowpolkadots101 · 14/03/2019 20:57

I went to school with a leoni and she was a massive bully... I think if it wasn't for her I would quite like the name!

Tillygetsit · 15/03/2019 00:30

I was at school with a really strange one who always smelled like salt and vinegar crisps and stamped on our shoes so I'm not awfully keen.

SurgeHopper · 15/03/2019 00:34

How can anyone find it chavvy?!

EBearhug · 15/03/2019 00:35

It would remind me of Robert Snell's daughter in The Archers - which, on balance, isn't positive.

MercyBodle · 15/03/2019 02:05

An over-used middle aged women's name in Australia. Sorry, but not appealing at all.

coursedarlin · 15/03/2019 02:25

I have a 4 year old Leoni and we only ever get compliments on her name

nbartist · 15/03/2019 03:03

I've knew two girls named Leonie in my school year, one pronounced the French way and the other pronounced the more English way. I don't associate it with any particular class but I love the sound of it and think it's a really pretty name both written and spoken. It helps that both the Leonies I know are absolutely lovely, considerate, kind women, so I think of them when I hear it.

sandytree · 15/03/2019 15:20

I knows Leonie and she gets v frustrated by the different pronunciations of her name

LividLaughLove · 15/03/2019 15:26

Leonie was born in the early 90s. She had one of those clown necklaces from Elizabeth Duke.

PinkPupZ · 16/03/2019 00:41

I know 2 and love it. It's sometimes spelled Leoni without the E like Naomi doesn t have the E.

BadTigerKitty · 16/03/2019 00:51

I grew up with a relatively posh Leonie, born late 70s. Know a 5 year old Leona. Love both names.

mathanxiety · 16/03/2019 06:32

I knew quite a few in school in Ireland in the 70s and early 80s. French names were very popular in Ireland back then (at least on the south side of Dublin anyway)...
All pronounced it Lee-OH-nee.

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