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Original poster

Help with boys names - Clem, Louis or Leo

55 replies

Penny19 · 23/07/2023 19:31

After years of miscarriages and IVF, we are finally going to have a baby boy in November. My name was always rare and loved being the only one. I know it is a little harder for boys names, but I would like it to be a little unique but not out there. I like Leo and Louis but I know they are so popular right now (despite not being that common when we first started to try!) I also like the name Clem which is obviously less common (clement, which i am less keen on, but could always be called clem) I know someone lovely with that name, so maybe I am a bit biased. Would love any thoughts, open to honest (but kindly expressed!) thoughts. 😂

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IWantOutDoI · 23/07/2023 19:33

I would say no to Clem, it is too much of an old man’s name for a child to carry on his own.

Louis and Leo are lovely but you may find there are quite a bit of them around.

MrsSamR · 23/07/2023 19:36

Firstly congratulations - how exciting!

I know one male Clem and one female and it suits them both. I think it's an excellent combo of cool/interesting but also classic and not too weird/out there.

I agree Leo and Louis are both quite popular. Not sure they're in the same vein as your others but they would have been our boy names (had 2 girls!) so are obviously my favourites: Monty (Montague/Montgomery) and Bertie (Albert/Herbert/Bertram).

midsomermurderess · 23/07/2023 19:37

I like Leo. Is it particularly popular? Patrick also comes to mind. Not that common a name, I think.

CC4712 · 23/07/2023 19:38

I too am not keen on Clem. It rhymes with phlemgh and Clement reminds me of a Clementine.

I always have a mental block with Louis and in my head think- is it pronounced like Lewis or Loo-ee?

I knew a man called Cren. Unusual, but not crazy weird.

Anythingforcake · 23/07/2023 19:38

A vote for Louis here. Leo is a lovely name for a child but I can't see it suiting a grown man.

Isitthathardtobekind · 23/07/2023 19:39

Clem for me. I know one young teen called clem but have not come across any others.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 23/07/2023 19:41

I like Louis the best out of those 3 but would it bother you that some people would initially assume it is Lou-ee and some would say Lou-isss? That would annoy me and I didn't use one of my favourite names for that reason!

Clem makes me think of inclement weather.

I like Leo but it might not be as rare as you would want. In my area it's not overused but there are some in most school years that I know.

BusterGonad · 23/07/2023 19:43

Clem Fandango.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 23/07/2023 19:45

Clem makes me think of Deliverance for some reason.

I like Leo but always think it feels like it's missing something. I have a lovely Leo I'm very close to and often end up calling him Leonardo.

Louis is very popular.

shoopshoopdedoo · 23/07/2023 19:48

I really like Leo, but it does seem very popular - I know several toddlers called Leo.

I’m not particularly keen on Clem, but it could grow on me. I’m not sure (helpful)…

Personally, I’ve always really disliked Louis. I’m not sure why. I know lots of people love it.

OverTheCountryClub · 23/07/2023 19:54

I love the name Leo - I'd definitely use it and really wanted it for ds1 but unfortunately dh has a nephew called Leo so he vetoed! I don't think popularity matters if you really love it.
I think Clem is a great name actually. Unusual but not totally off the wall. I think it works well.
I don't like Louis which is weird as it is very close in sound to Leo! Can't put my finger on why, but I've never liked the name.

PurBal · 23/07/2023 19:56

I knew a Clem at school. I love it. Not heard it in ages.

Rainbowfruitpunch · 23/07/2023 20:05

I like Clem, I think it works on a boy but he’s not a child for long anyway. I would definitely use Clement for when he’s older. Reminds me of Clement Attlee the well respected former PM.

Leo and Louis are just so popular… Louis is probably on its way out now as well. Leo doesn’t hold the same dignified feel as Clement or Louis. If you like French names with L sounds how about Loic, Emil, Leon, Lucien. I’d probably just go for Clement shortened to Clem though.

LifeIsHardAlways · 23/07/2023 20:06

Not Clem, inevitably end up being called phlegm.

Royalbloo · 23/07/2023 20:14

I know a Clem but it's a she - Clemmie. The others are fine

Royalbloo · 23/07/2023 20:14

How about Lenny?

ThePoetsWife · 23/07/2023 20:21

How about Leon?

Jongleterre · 23/07/2023 20:22

Liam?

FayCarew · 23/07/2023 20:23

Clem makes me think of clam.
Leo and Louis are very popular, but are nice.

CatMattress · 23/07/2023 20:25

Leo certainly much more popular now than when I had my DS 10 years ago (it was in our shortlist and I don't think it was even in the top 100)

What about Max?not whacky or hard to spell, but I don't know any young maxs

BeaLola · 23/07/2023 20:45

If I had been naming a DS my choices would be from

Max
Peter
Nathaniel nn Nate
Kit

I recently met a gorgeous toddler called Saul and at college 30 years ago has a classmate called Seth who was pretty cool

FlamingYam · 23/07/2023 20:45

I thought Clem was a girls name? Short for Clementine. I wouldn't use it for a boy.

WhatADrabCarpet · 23/07/2023 20:48

Clem is utterly daft. Sorry.

OliviaFlaversham · 23/07/2023 20:48

I know 5 (I know!) Clems who are all girls.

I like Louis but too have a moment each time I see it questioning how to say it!

Leo is quite popular around here but it is a great name.

ItsNotRocketSalad · 23/07/2023 20:50

Louis and Leo are both nice. Please don't call a baby Clem. This is the only person who can pull off being called Clem.

Help with boys names - Clem, Louis or Leo