Lenny or Leonard?

[NearlyThere91]

Please don't say if you hate the name/s. We love Lenny so much.

I think I'd like Leonard on the BC but my husband doesn't like Leonard at all. He wants pure Lenny, and he could go by 'Len' if he ever wanted to be particularly serious.

What do you think - Lenny or Leonard?

Perhaps I was overly influenced by TS Eliot on the naming of cats.

I know a Lenny, have known him my whole life, at no point did he think "ok I'm an adult now, best swap to Leonard". He's always been Lenny.

limits an adult's options later in life.... I don't really understand this to be honest.

I did exactly this, I exclusively use my first name in full as an adult but as a child went by the diminutive. I actually can’t stand the nickname and am so glad it wasn’t put on my BC, the more options the better imo.

*The problem is that a diminutive suitable for a toddler really limits an adult's options later in life. Parents need to think beyond the first four years.

There's nothing cute about a 40-year-old Teddy, Betsy or Augie. Or any of that ilk.*

I agree. I am so happy to have an elegant proper name that I like to use in a professional setting and/or when meeting new people.

My family and close friends can call me a more 'cutesy' nickname.

Leonard on the birth certificate and Lenny everyday. My 2 year old has a friend with this name and it's adorable.

I like the idea of having a longer, more formal name on BC and then a nickname type name which you love. Lennon/Lennox are both lovely if your husband isn't convinced by Leonard.
My friend has a Leonard and Oswald and they go by Leo & Ozzy, so cute!

My friend has a Leonard and Oswald and they go by Leo & Ozzy, so cute!

Is Leonard Leo-nard?

@bluebunnys , it's usually pronounced Lennard. cf. Leopard.

But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
😺

Leonard, of course. Because Lenny is a nickname.

It's fine to love the nickname Lenny, but please consider your son's feelings as a future adult, - he might well wish to have a more serious name rather than a nickname, not least when filling out a job application form.

Also, have you read Of Mice and Men?