Leonard

[Clownfish123]

This is now DH favourite name. What do we think? Would be nicknamed Lenny probably, or I suppose Leo is also an option if he should so choose!
I initially thought it sounded too old fashioned and perhaps a bit nerdy but it's growing on me.
Do you think it's a name that might cause teasing? I personally don't think so but would like other opinions.

When I think of the name Lenny I immediately think of Mr cool personified - Lenny Kravitz

Love Lenny! It's quirky without being weird.

Leonard is a solid choice OP.

I have read Of Mice and Men, it’s one of my favourite books however the name Lenny doesn’t stir up feelings of the book. It’s well known name so I wouldn’t let the association bother me.

Leonard is nice, makes me think of Grantchester. Ned is a good nn. Or just Leonard, it's not as if it's six syllables long.

If you call him Ned, just make sure you don’t ever move to Scotland- it has a completely different meaning up there!

I like the Leonard Cohen inspiration, and Lenny would be nice for a little boy.

I love it and have one! Never regretted the choice of name and it really suits him. It’s unusual but not weird

How do you get Leo and Leon as shortenings from Leonard? Yes, the spelling is the same, but the pronunciation (which is where shortenings develop from, oral, not written use) isn't. If you wanted a Leo or a Leon, you'd need to call your baby that.

I'm torn. I like Leonard as that, but over here in Germany there are currently a lot of children called Lennard and Lennart, which I really don't like.

I thought

Leonard is Leo-nard
Leonardo is Leo-nardo
Lennard is Lenn-ard

Did anybody say to Princess Diana “If you want a Harry, you should have called your son Harold, not Henry?”

Amazingly, parents are free to nickname their children anything they want, and the nickname police don’t patrol to check that it is derived from the correct source

@cattestreet - I agree that the natural shortening is Lenny or perhaps Ned, but I think Leo or Leon could be options for him if he decided he didn't like his name or found it too old fashioned (I obviously hope that won't be the case)
I don't think people would find it odd to meet a Leonard nicknamed Leo as it is the beginning of the name.
I would definitely be pronouncing Leonard as Lennard though!

@hardheadedwoman - yay a mum of a Leonard! I actually think it could be our holy grail of names. Cute nickname, strong long name, not too popular, not ridiculous.
Does your Leonard have a nickname? Is he old enough to know if he likes his name?

Yes a teen now and he likes it! Everyone calls him Lennie or Len. He’s the only one in his school

I haven't read or seen it so it doesn't really mean anything to me
Fair enough OP. It’s the GCSE English book students read for their exam so I think a lot of teens nowadays would immediately think of the book. I’m an English teacher so just thought I’d throw it out there!

I love it.

Thanks Bish it's helpful to know all associations etc.

I too think of Of Mice and Men

My baby nephew is a Leonard! It's a family name. Everyone loves it. Go for it OP.

Whilst I really like the name Leonard and all the nicknames you've given, having read your other thread and knowing your other sons name, I personally wouldn't use Leo!

Dont worry I wouldnt have a Rory and a Leo. That would mean if I had a third I would need a Felix to complete the feline set!
It would just be an option for him as he got older if he didn't like Lenny or found it too unusual.

Phew glad to hear it! 😂 It's a great name

Did anybody say to Princess Diana “If you want a Harry, you should have called your son Harold, not Henry?”

But Harry is traditionally a pet name for Henry...

Love it

Sorry, not keen - sounds very depressing. Leo I love though.

It's a great name and Leonard Cohen is one to live up to.