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Baby names

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

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Original poster

I like the name Leonard but no one else here does

39 replies

westonsuperMARE · 15/04/2010 10:32

I just did a MN search on the name Leonard and everyone is horrid about it on the babynames board. I think it's lovely - we're planning to call our baby Leonard if it's a boy with Leo or Lenny for short. Is this really awful? So many people on here have shouted it down when it comes up as a suggestion. I think Leonardo sounds silly if no Italian heritage and Leo on its own seems a bit short.

Would I be a cruel mother to do this to a baby?

OP posts:

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Set a reminder

tethersend · 15/04/2010 10:41

Leonard is lovely. Lenny even better.

Do it, I say.

Katy86 · 15/04/2010 10:42

No i dont think you would be cruel at all.

Its not to my personal taste but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the name!

If you love it then ignore what other people say. And i think Leo and Lenny are lovely

ozmetric · 15/04/2010 10:50

What about Leon?

plimsolls · 15/04/2010 11:07

love the nn Lenny!

lucy567 · 15/04/2010 11:22

its fine and if you love it go for it, I don't see the difference between that name and George, people just jump on fashion band wagons with names, its just not popular at the moment doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it.

5DollarShake · 15/04/2010 11:24

Leonard as fine! Definitely prefer Leo to Lenny, but can see I'm in the minority.

twolittlemonkeys · 15/04/2010 11:25

I like it and like Leo or Lenny as a nn.

kif · 15/04/2010 11:33

I have a Leonard nn Lenny! I love it!

IMO it just on the cusp of the Grandad/Grandma names(George/Alfie/Evie et al.). Classic, dignified, timeless name with a cute slightly trendy nn - what not to like?

In RL people seem to react positively to the name. It suits my Ds in both long and short form. Most of his little friends seem to have names ending with -ie or -y - so his name 'fits in'. (IME kids like to have names which sound 'right' without millions of the same name in the class).

Leonardo is rubbish if you're not Italian or a turtle.

theagedparent · 15/04/2010 14:04

Leonard is a great name

DebiNewberry · 15/04/2010 14:05

Leo/Lenny nice nn

Iklboo · 15/04/2010 14:06

Makes me think of the guy from Big Bang Theory (who is in Roseanne and is v cute).
I quite like it.

iMum · 15/04/2010 14:07

I love it!

If we ever had another ds he would be Leonard, My friend has it on her list as well!

kiwichika · 15/04/2010 21:30

I reeeeealy like this name my gf was a Lenard but i like the spelling Leonard as well and love Lenny as a nn. I cant have it though as dh is Italian and and it would get confused as Leonardo which i hate dislike as think it sounds 'to much'.

LetThereBeRock · 15/04/2010 22:13

I wouldn't say it'd be cruel but I think it's an awful name.

tasmaniandevilchaser · 15/04/2010 22:14

Another vote for Leon, though I love Lenny.

Shaz10 · 15/04/2010 22:16

Lenny, I love the name! The best Simpsons character, apart from maybe Moe. Ooh, you should call him Moe!

LittlePushka · 15/04/2010 22:24

I love Leon though!

Isentthatbox · 15/04/2010 22:46

I know it shouldn't influence me but a boy in ds's class has just been expelled for throwing a chair at a pregnant teacher

Put me off the name for life

Leonard is nice tho!

Isentthatbox · 15/04/2010 22:47

A boy named Leon - should have said that - you're not psychic!!

ChippingIn · 17/04/2010 04:48

It's definitely not one I'd choose - but it's no worse than Stanley, Albert, Douglas etc....

If you like it, then go with it!

AussieSim · 17/04/2010 04:58

I love Leonard in Big Bang Theory - but the creator probably gave the character the name because it sounds geeky/nerdy. I had Leon on my shortlist for DC2. DC2 now has a Leo in his class which is nice. But I once owned a dog called Lenny

Go for it!

franke · 17/04/2010 06:32

Seems to be quite popular here in Germany, usually spelled Lennard. If you like it, go for it. I don't think it would be a cruel choice.

Ineedsomesleep · 17/04/2010 08:15

Its not a name I would choose, but that is the point of choosing baby names you choose names that you like.

When my DD was born my own Mum said "well, I suppose you can't choose what they name your Grandchildren". Think that summed up what whe thought of it. She has now started calling DD by her middle name.

Don't name your child to please other people, if you like it then use it.

Merle · 17/04/2010 08:25

I like it.

If it was me I would not be discouraged by the lack of enthusiasm from other people, quite the reverse.

It is not a wacky name. It is a good, solid name which doesn't happen to be fashionable at the moment. It shortens really well. Ie works in other European countries ( I always like that). It ticks all the boxes in terms of being an astrophysicist(sp?) and/or and artist and/or a bloke in the pub. What more could you ask for in a name?

WishYouWereMine · 17/04/2010 09:19

I kinda like it!
There was an episode of the Big Bang Theory though where Leonard said that he hated his name.. because it had 'nerd' in it! He wanted to be called Angelo.. because it had angel' and 'jello' in it! Is that something you would consider OP?

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