Leonidas

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Baby is half Greek with Greek surname (long but easy to pronounce). What do you think!? Big bro has an Ancient Greek name with an easy English nickname so thought this might work.

I am a woman and the Spartan king was my immediate thought. Honestly? I love the name Leonidas, - I must admit I love classical Greek names, and Leonidas is such a memorable true historical character. Maybe Pericles is better? You will have to buy him the book, "Gates of Fire" by Stephen Pressfield about the Battle of Thermopylae. There were moves afoot to make it into a movie - probably starring Bruce Willis, who was born to play the character of Leonidas as he was written, or George Clooney - but "300" got into the market first. I loved Gates of Fire, and found it a very enjoyable read considering everyone knows the outcome. I haven't read 300 as I don't like graphic novels. Gates of Fire is apparently so highly regarded that it's required reading at West Point and Annapolis. It really felt like they caught the spirit of the Spartans.

There is an old Sunday afternoon on the TV movie called 300 Spartans, which has a very noble view of guess who. It was a Greek co-production with a very earnest and sincere Leonidas. I saw it as a kid and loved it and about ten years ago hunted down the DVD.

I sound like I'm besotted by a man who's been dead for 2,500 years. However, there are so many great Greek figures. I once taught a boy who was name Themistocles and none of the kids thought twice about it.

Don't get me started on the girls' names. Love them.

Yup chocolate

I love it! I have a Leo and often call him Leonidas affectionately.

But yes - also think of the chocolate 😆

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

It’s definitely a “proper name” - just not an English one.

I can live with the association with chocolate (could be worse!) and Sparta.

Will almost certainly be Leo to everyone outside of home/his Greek family, which I like.

Other options would be:

Nikolaos - really like but I’m not keen on Niko and Nick isn’t good with our surname

Athanasios - love but Marvel has kind of ruined Thanos, which is my preferred diminutive

Having said kids ignore names yeah Thanos might be a bit much!

Most people will think Sparta imo. But what’s teasable about chocolate anyway? There are still loads of Zara’s despite the clothing brand. Even the occasional young Flora despite the sad potential for “spreads easily” jokes when she’s older. These were ancient long established names long before they became brands. Maybe if she fancied calling him Lindt or Hotel Chocolat instead I could take your point 🤣

Love Leonidas.

I love the name, but had to Google the chocolate connection as I couldn’t understand why posters were mentioning chocolate alongside the Spartan hero. Never heard of this brand before now.

I LOVE it!

I used to stop off at a cafe in London that gave away a free Leonidas chocolate when you bought a coffee, on my way to work, around 25 years ago. But it’s not a name for a chocolate company, it’s a name a chocolate company used - I would not be worried about the connection that some people might make on reading your post. I would not be thinking this upon hearing it. Go for it.

Female here who doesn’t get the chocolate reference! But thought king leonidas.

OP I love it

One of the greatest kings and heroes of Sparta. I like it.