Names honoring Uncle Leonard

[carly12]

Hello all!
DH feels very strongly about naming our first born in honor of his Uncle Leonard, who has no middle name. We both dislike Leo, Leon, and Len/Lenny. While we're ok with Leonardo, we feel like it would sound ridiculous for our obviously non-Italian child.

Our girls names are more promising:
Leona (Hubby's favorite...maybe it will grow on me)
Leonie
Leanora
Lenore
Eleanor

So, which girl's name is your favorite? Do you have any favorite pairings with them? And are there any boy names we're overlooking? Last question-- what do you think of Leo as a girl nn?

Thanks!

[uselesskitty]

Well for boys names, Leonard means "brave lion". You could use another name with a similar meaning for example Lionel, Leopold, Hayder, Leander, Leon, Leonidas, Levon.

Of your girls names I like Leonie the most. You can also consider Aria, Ariel and Leandra which all have lion in the meaning.

Personally I like Lionel and Aria!

[marissalou]

I like Leona and Leonie but I'd wait to honor my uncle with a boy. Good luck!

[ottilie]

Leopold is my favourite Leo name. Leofric might be too out there, but it's pretty cute, Leontinus and it's russian variant Leonti are quite cool too.

Lenore and Leonie are both lovely, and Leona is very pretty as well. I don't know if you've considered Leontina, but that's quite beautiful as well.

[kala_way]

Cleo? for a girl
Lenora is my favorite

for a boy
Leopold
Ari (similar meaning) also Ariel for a girl (both mean lion of God)
I happen to like Leonidas and Leander a lot as well, but I love Leo also

[agent99]

I've always liked Leonidas for a boy,

Leontine, Leocadie are good choices for a girl imo

[taz]

I have a Leonie so I am partial to that! She gets called Leo sometimes.
I like Lev or or Levi on a boy. I love Cleo but it doesn't feel obvious to me.

[stephaniebrooke]

Leonard was my grandfather's name, if I was a boy my mom was going to call me Joel Leonard. I think Leonard is a good option for a mn if it just isn't gelling as a first name.

[carly12]

Thanks for all the responses! Husband wants it to be a first name, and I understand that, because middle names are rarely used. Uselesskitty, I love Leander and hadn't even thought of it!