I was on facebook when I saw this name on one of my friends pages. I just wanted some opinions on the name.
What are your thoughts on [name_m]Leif[/name_m] as a name?
[name_m]How[/name_m] do you pronounce [name_m]Leif[/name_m]?
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it could work in the US?
To me it’s interesting. A conversation starter. I think it’s said like lay-f. I also think it could work in the US but would get leaf more and constantly asked if he’s from another Country.
I like it! I think it’s cute and friendly. I pronounce it Layf, but that’s because I knew that’s how it is “supposed” to be pronounced. [name_f]My[/name_f] first inclination would, naturally, be [name_u]Leaf[/name_u] - but honestly, that still doesn’t sound bad and is a very slight mispronunciation. About it working in the U.S…look, people here are so name-intolerant it is CRAZY. I mentioned to my FSIL the other day that I liked the name “[name_m]Callum[/name_m]” and she was like “uh, that’s, uh, interesting.” [name_m]Even[/name_m] though that name is simple and not even really “exotic.” So, on that, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. But you know what - we live in a country where no one bats an eye at [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f] (gag me) or [name_f]Desiree[/name_f] (ughhhh) but would potentially protest [name_m]Leif[/name_m]? That’s so lame! It’s time for us to take the power back, lol. Use it if you love it, it’s a good name!
I think many of us in the States age ~30 and older know the correct pronunciation due to [name_m]Leif[/name_m] [name_m]Garrett[/name_m]. It’s on my list of possibilities. ([name_m]Lars[/name_m] reminds me of [name_m]Lars[/name_m] [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m] who I find annoying due to his whining about Napster, so I prefer [name_m]Leif[/name_m])
Aw we have very few names picked out and as a family with a Ln from the same origin this name works with our name and is on our list… Who cares where it does and doesn’t work honestly I have to say as long as people in the US can pronounce it no one can complain… Its a great name and has a wonderful meaning
I pronounce [name_m]Leif[/name_m] as Layf, which is the correct pronunciation. I think that many will pronounce it as leaf. I think its a nice name and could work in US
Thanks everyone! [name_m]Leif[/name_m] seems to be easier to say than I thought. There will always be the [name_u]Leaf[/name_u] part that will make me wonder if we should consider it.
I really love this name, and we almost went with it for baby #3. I would however say to only use it if you can make peace with the fact that some people will always say [name_u]Leaf[/name_u].
Absolutely love it! It is definitely one of my guilty pleasures, but I feel like it would be difficult to pull off in the U.S. unless you had deep European heritage…But I so love it!
Scandinavian names are near and dear to me but, unfortunately, [name_m]Leif[/name_m] (layf) would be pronounced incorrectly if you live in the states. [name_u]True[/name_u], family and friends would pronounce it properly in time but then again you are putting a burden on your kid to explain his name for a better part of his life. And let’s be real… [name_m]Leif[/name_m] just doesn’t sound as awesome when said with an American accent.
[name_f]My[/name_f] great grandfather’s name was [name_m]Leif[/name_m], within the family he was called Layf but when the family came to [name_f]Canada[/name_f] from Norway he accepted the pronunciation [name_u]Leaf[/name_u], it was also much easier for us as children to pronounce [name_u]Leaf[/name_u]. I would love to name my son [name_m]Leif[/name_m] even knowing it will be pronounced both ways!
I think you should use it. I’m in the U.S. and [name_m]Leif[/name_m] [name_m]Garrett[/name_m] was pronounced Life and [name_u]Leaf[/name_u]. Our world has grown so much since his Teen [name_f]Beat[/name_f] days. I think the U.S. is ready for a little [name_m]Leif[/name_m] (Layf). No matter what you chose, you won’t be able to please everyone - so pick something you love.
I hope you will name your son after your grandfather. I did and I have never regretted it (not even for a second). I used my grandfather’s name as my son’s middle name. It is an old man name and my son’s girlfriends always liked the name. It is so nice to have the reminder of my grandfather. In my family it seems that whomever a child is named for, the child has at least some traits or features of that person.
I like this name when pronounced the traditional way, Layf. I think most Americans would (mis)pronounce it [name_u]Leaf[/name_u] or Life. But it’s actually a simple, straightforward name, so I think most would catch on after being corrected the first time. To me [name_m]Leif[/name_m] has such a strong connection to the Vikings that it has an association to violence. For that reason plus aesthetic preferences, I prefer the similar name [name_u]Leith[/name_u].
I liked the name [name_m]Leif[/name_m] even before seeing this post and realizing it was pronounced Layf, not [name_u]Leaf[/name_u]. (All through elementary school we were told “[name_u]Leaf[/name_u]” [name_m]Ericson[/name_m] the viking.) I don’t think, however, that the name has connotations of violence because of its viking connections like a pp said. I actually think of it as on the softer side of the spectrum as far as boys’ names go, and really like that about it. It isn’t a harsh or violent sounding name, whichever pronunciation gets used–to me it sounds super smart and strong in a not trying-too-hard way. If you can learn to be okay with people accidentally pronouncing if like leaf, then I would absolutely go for it!