What would you think if you met a little girl named...

Girl Names
1

What would you think if you met a little girl named [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]?

Wondering how you would pronounce the name if you were reading it for the first time (we live in the USA)? What would your first impressions of the name be? (Being in [name_u]America[/name_u], we plan to pronounce it [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-oh-nee.) And do you think the name sounds made up? We know the history and origin of the name but understand most will not.

Thanks! :blush:

2

I think [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] is a very pretty name and doesn’t sound made up at all. [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] to me is a spunky little girl with bright blue eyes and big curly hair.

3

I’m familiar with the name [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] but even so, the pronunciation is pretty intuitive. It doesn’t sound made up at all.

4

I would think it’s a nickname for [name_f]Leona[/name_f] or [name_f]Leonora[/name_f] or maybe [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f].

5

I’ve seen this name before, but never met a [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]. I usually pronounce it lee-OH-nee, but could imagine saying [name_u]LEE[/name_u]-uh-nee (similar to the two ways peony is pronounced). I think it’s pretty, chic, and spunky all at once. You’ll likely have to walk people through how to say it (or how you choose to say it, since it does have more than one valid pronunciation) the first time, but it’s not a difficult name for English speakers to say.

6

I pronounce it the way you do and knew of it. I prefer it to [name_f]Leona[/name_f].

7

I could be biased, I have known three Leonies and they were not only lovely people, but two were among the most beautiful women I’ve ever known, so it has nothing but wonderful feelings for me :slight_smile: I pronounce it lee-OH-nee.

8

I don’t know if I’d think much of it –it’s a cute name but not one that I love (or, on the flipside,
one I consider odd or outdated).

9

In Australia it’s a name for women in their 50’s so feels outdated and a bit drab to me. However I understand it is less used in the US.

10

It’s sweet and different enough without seeming odd, it doesn’t sound made up, and I think the pronunciation you seek is the most intuitive, but probably will require occasional clarification. [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] would be a lovely choice!

11

I think it’s pretty and spunky. I see this name on a brown-haired girl. I think most people won’t have a problem pronouncing it and I don’t think it sounds made up.

12

I think [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] is a great name! I have come across it before among my husband’s [name_m]German[/name_m] relatives so I know it is not a made up name. I would pronounce it the [name_m]German[/name_m] way: [name_m]Lay[/name_m]-oh-nee. But [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-oh-nee is more intuitive in English, so I think you’ll have no problems there.

13

This is my impressions of the name [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]. Like some other posters, I am very familiar with the name. One seriously beautiful & special lady is 70. She celebrated her 60th by taking a holiday with the purpose of celebrating by ‘Waltzing in [name_f]Vienna[/name_f].’ What a role model!
“[name_f]Onnie[/name_f]” (and no I don’t like her nn, her family make very unflattering nns for each other) she is 20 and going to follow her sister into modelling. There are more, but in short, its unused enough to be quite special now I imagine. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] choice.

14

[name_f]Leona[/name_f] is one of my favorite girl’s names, so I would be thrilled to meet a [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]!

15

I love this name, and it’s not common either. It was on my list for my first born daughter :slight_smile:

16

Thanks, everyone! All of your insights are very helpful! Due in [name_u]June[/name_u] and if it’s a girl she will be [name_f]Leonie[/name_f]! (A boy will be [name_m]Augustus[/name_m]!) [name_f]Glad[/name_f] to hear people probably won’t have too much trouble with pronunciation and generally have positive associations with the name! We love it!