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Baby names

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

Original poster

Lewin or Levin?

35 replies

MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 14:51

Curious to see what people think…

We’ve shortlisted Lucas, Isaac and Finn but Lewin and Levin keep popping into my head - they feel special in the same way my other kids named did…but that could be the hormones 😆- and I think they’d go well with siblings Cora and Harris.

We talked about Lucan a while ago but I couldn’t get Lord Lucan out of my head.

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LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 10/04/2023 15:05

i like Lewin but Levin sounds strange to me.

suzettenoisette · 10/04/2023 15:39

I think they're actually both pronounced the same. They are German right?

I'd pick Levin in the UK because Lewin will become loo-in.

PickledScrump · 10/04/2023 17:06

Lewin is nice

Notgotanyidea · 10/04/2023 17:21

Love Lewin

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 19:12

suzettenoisette · 10/04/2023 15:39

I think they're actually both pronounced the same. They are German right?

I'd pick Levin in the UK because Lewin will become loo-in.

Like loo-is?

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suzettenoisette · 10/04/2023 19:17

MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 19:12

Like loo-is?

Show quote history

Yes. I know a German Lewin and he says it like leh-veen but in the UK I think people will say lew-in as in Lewis. It's just one letter away from it and I think it will get mixed up too.

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 19:31

Definitely don’t want to use Lewis as a first name given Harris is his brother. Though it’s on the shortlist for second name depending on choice we make.

Cora has been called Coral or Cara on occasion…maybe twice in 8 years…so confusion isn’t enough to put me off. The people who know him and matter would hopefully get to know it.

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suzettenoisette · 10/04/2023 19:44

I understand, I wasn't suggesting Lewis, I was just saying that people might mix it up with Lewis and will likely say it like Lewis with an N at the end. It will be hard to establish another pronunciation if that is not the one you want.

True, the people who will care will say it correctly, many others will think it is a typo for the very popular Lewis. But if you love it I think you should stick with it. I think Levin will be easier here.

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 19:54

From what I’ve read Lewin is also an Anglo Saxon name, pronounced loo-in, so that was my intention. I love Lewis but it’s not an option, sadly. Appreciate there may be German equivalents though. Here’s a snippet from a UK baby name site that mirrors Emma’s Diary and others.

The name Lewin is a boy's name meaning "dear friend". Sounds like a Lewis variant, but in actual fact the surname-turned-first-name Lewin derives from the Old English name Leofwine, meaning "dear friend".

Name choosing is so blooming hard 😅

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AMistakePlusKeleven · 10/04/2023 19:57

Not for me; wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to pronounce either. Love your other children's names though, I think Lucas would go well with them.

Longdarkcloud · 10/04/2023 20:10

I think Lewin is fine and has the advantage of being not too popular and being easy to spell. There are several names beginning with the loo sound and I haven’t heard anyone making anything of it.
There could be more confusion about the pronunciation of Levin which is a common Jewish surname.

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 20:21

Levin is out then for similar reasons to Coen, which was a name I liked a while back!

Interesting to get different views. Lewin is probably my favourite of the two.

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Luredbyapomegranate · 10/04/2023 22:42

I think I’d go for Issac or Finn

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/04/2023 22:43

Lachlan maybe?

Or Lorne?

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 23:08

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/04/2023 22:42

I think I’d go for Issac or Finn

Issac is one of the reasons I’m unsure about Isaac.

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Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 10/04/2023 23:09

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/04/2023 22:43

Lachlan maybe?

Or Lorne?

Can’t go for Lachlan sadly. And Lorne sausage…

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Belmondo · 10/04/2023 23:12

I like Lewin - I know someone with that surname so would pronounce it as they do, Loo-in.

You might also like Levon (Lee-von), as in Levon Helm, the famous musician.

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 11/04/2023 07:36

Levon is beautiful. I love that it means lion 🦁

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gkd1234 · 11/04/2023 07:43

Lewin would be Loo-in for me. It's a fine name.

Levin would be Lev-in. People will assume you are Jewish.

user1492757084 · 11/04/2023 08:04

Cora, Harris and ...
Lewin or Levin
Leon
Levi

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 11/04/2023 14:28

gkd1234 · 11/04/2023 07:43

Lewin would be Loo-in for me. It's a fine name.

Levin would be Lev-in. People will assume you are Jewish.

Yes I also like Coen but will shelf Levin for same reasons. I think I’m most drawn to Lewin anyway. My partner seems to like it too and it’s similar to Rowen which we both liked but can’t use.

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Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 11/04/2023 14:29

user1492757084 · 11/04/2023 08:04

Cora, Harris and ...
Lewin or Levin
Leon
Levi

Can’t use Leon sadly, and Levi as my OHs dog’s name 😆

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ABlindAssassin · 11/04/2023 14:33

I have an Isaac. We had loads of misspellings from his friends at the start of primary school when they were learning phonics (Izak, Isak etc) but not for ages (he's 10 now) and not from any adults!

Original poster
MyEasterEggs · 11/04/2023 14:35

ABlindAssassin · 11/04/2023 14:33

I have an Isaac. We had loads of misspellings from his friends at the start of primary school when they were learning phonics (Izak, Isak etc) but not for ages (he's 10 now) and not from any adults!

That’s good to know. It’s the only thing that puts me off. I see Issac so much on MN so asked my OH how he would spell it and he said the same 🫠

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RosaSkye · 11/04/2023 14:47

Would you like Lowen? It’s Cornish and means Joy