I’m thinking of using [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as a girl name. It was my great grandpa’s name so it has some family significance. But I’m not a fan of the girly versions like [name_f]Leona[/name_f]/[name_f]Leah[/name_f]/[name_u]Lee[/name_u] ect. Thoughts??
I was about to say how about [name_f]Leona[/name_f], but I see that’s not what you prefer. I personally think [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is suited for a boy.
I’d definitely use a longer form as [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is a boys’ name to me and I wouldn’t want to get letters that are always adressed at Mr. [name_m]Leo[/name_m] Lastname.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about:
[name_f]Leonora[/name_f], [name_f]Leonore[/name_f], [name_f]Eleonora[/name_f], [name_f]Leonor[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]?
[name_f]Leocadia[/name_f], [name_f]Leonie[/name_f], [name_f]Leontine[/name_f], [name_f]Leopoldine[/name_f], [name_f]Leora[/name_f]?
or use L.E.O as initials:
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] [name_f]Esme[/name_f] [name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] [name_f]Octavia[/name_f]
etc.
What about [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]? maybe nn [name_m]Leo[/name_m]? Less frilly than say [name_f]Leonora[/name_f] but feminine enough that people wont automatically assume [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is a boy.
As a first name I would say no, I’m sorry. I would assure that a Leo is a boy. I would choose a longer form for a girl.
What about Liora? Cleo? Lior? Leontine? Leonilde?
It’s usable, but it sounds like a nickname regardless of gender. Since it’s only three letters, maybe a name with two middles that would have the initials L.E.O. with [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as a perfect nickname? I don’t typically love that sort of naming-for-a-nickname, but it could work in this case.
Use [name_f]Leonore[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonor[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonora[/name_f] or [name_f]Leona[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonie[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonine[/name_f]/[name_f]Leontine[/name_f] or even [name_f]Leopoldine[/name_f] as a formal name she can use her whole life through without confusion for important things like job applications. But, definitely call her [name_m]Leo[/name_m] because I think [name_m]Leo[/name_m] on a girl is refreshing considering the sheer number of [name_f]Lila[/name_f]/[name_f]Lily[/name_f]/[name_f]Lola[/name_f]/[name_f]Lea[/name_f]/[name_f]Leah[/name_f]/[name_f]Leia[/name_f]/[name_f]Laya[/name_f]/[name_f]Layla[/name_f]/[name_f]Leila[/name_f] that crowd the charts right now.
I don’t know how you feel about [name_f]Leonore[/name_f], but I don’t mind the idea of [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as a good nn for [name_f]Leonore[/name_f]. I much prefer [name_f]Leonore[/name_f] to [name_f]Leonie[/name_f], [name_f]Leona[/name_f], etc.
I agree with pp’s that [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is suited for a boy, but I love the thought of it being a nn for a girl. Like @anyagreenwhich mentioned it is quite refreshing!
My suggestions:
Leolani
Leodora
[name_f]Leoma[/name_f]
I think the nickname works for a little girl but I would definitely want a feminine full name if it were me. I wouldn’t want to be just named [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as a girl on my documents/resumes, etc. and constantly having the gender confusion.
I like [name_m]Leo[/name_m] for the name as is. Maybe [name_m]Lio[/name_m] as a spelling sub for a girl but it’s not necessary.
[name_m]Leo[/name_m] Names:
[name_u]Leone[/name_u]
[name_f]Leora[/name_f]
Leopolda
I like [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] nickname [name_u]Lee[/name_u]. That is assuming it is pronounced [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-oh-nee. I could be wrong.
Sorry to say that I agree with pps about the gender confusion problem; that might turn out to be a serious pain in later life with bank accounts, insurance policies, driving licences, etc.
I do think it would be better to find a full name which is acceptable to you, knowing that she will ALWAYS be called [name_m]Leo[/name_m] by family and friends and you/she could always use [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as her “full name” in less official contexts. You may not like her actual full name as much as [name_m]Leo[/name_m] but it won’t actually matter on a day-to-day basis.
My personal favourites of the suggestions above are [name_f]Leonor[/name_f] (has the same spunky, tomboyish vibe of [name_m]Leo[/name_m] [name_f]IMO[/name_f] because of that -or ending, but more clearly feminine) and [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] (which might be too pretty/girly for your tastes, though I think of it as a strong-sounding name). I also like the L. E. O. combos given, even though I don’t usually like the stretch of giving a nn based on initials or middle names.
[name_f]Lena[/name_f] and Eleonor are further ideas which are perhaps less “frilly”, though obviously they too involve a bit more of a stretch to get to [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. Not sure that will really matter though once she’s just [name_m]Leo[/name_m] to you and everyone you know!
Like all boys name, [name_m]Leo[/name_m] should not be used on a girl. People will automatically assume [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is a boy. I like the idea of using [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as initials.
I would use the initials L.E.O. – I think that’s a great way to honor a [name_m]Leo[/name_m] when naming a little girl.
Personally, I think [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is an adorable girls name. It has become mundane amongst boys these days. If you are unsure, use [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as a nickname for [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] or [name_f]Leonora[/name_f].
[name_f]Leora[/name_f] is great suggestion. [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is so male to me.
I’ve always loved the idea of [name_m]Leo[/name_m] on a girl. When I was quite little, I used to write short stories about a girl name [name_m]Leo[/name_m], lol. That being said, in real life, there would probably be the knee jerk reaction of thinking [name_m]Leo[/name_m] was boy. However, once corrected, I don’t see why it would be a problem. I know girls named [name_m]Timmy[/name_m] and [name_u]Max[/name_u] and they never seem to have any problems and quite like their names. Also, as unisex names become more popular, it’s becoming ordinary not to be able to assume gender from the name alone. All in all, if you love it, go for it.
It depends on where you are from. If your from [name_m]New[/name_m] Zealand where it is a top 10 name I wouldn’t recommend it but if your from [name_f]England[/name_f] or [name_u]America[/name_u] where it’s only at the bottom of the top 100 I don’t see an issue. As the great queen [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] Velour says “Wear a crown , f*** with gender , bend the rules , don’t surrender.”
I like it as a nickname for a girl, but not strictly a formal name. I do like [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] though.