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Leonard
What do you think of Leonard? Do you pronounce it LEN-nard? I know it's also pronounced LEE-o-nard and LAY-o-nard in many countries.I really like Leonard pronounced LEN-nard, but really dislike Lennard and Lennart for some reason.Do you think people would try to spell it Lennard or Lennart? Will there be spelling/pronunciation issues?Is it getting more common?Do you think I could still use Leo (LEE-o) as an occasional nickname for LEN-nard (Leonard)?
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I love Leonard! It's such an intelligent but cuddly-sounding name. I think it's due for a revivial, too. -I pronounce it LEN-nard, and it's the only pronunciation I like.
-I think Leonard is safe as far as spelling and pronuncation are concerned. It's a well-established name with some famous bearers, like Leonard Nimoy and Leonard Cohen. There are no guarantees--some people just can't spell--but I think misspellings would be rare rather than the norm.
-More common? No, or at least, not yet. I think it will go up the charts just because I think it could appeal to the hipster set. Leonard fits in really well with names like Hugo, Rufus, Hazel, and Olive. I don't think it will be really popular, though.
-Absolutely! I'd use Leo if I had a Leonard. It may not be pronounced, but it's right in there in the name. I also like Len, and the nice thing about Leonard, as opposed to something like Leopold, is that it gives the kid nickname options.
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I think Leonard is a stereotypical dorky name. Leonard on THe Big Bang Theory is evidence of this.
If you are in the US, I don't think there will be any spelling or pronounciation issues.
No I don't think it is getting common.
Yes, you could still use Leo. ETA: to correct spelling mistakes

This message was edited 8/23/2011, 8:59 AM

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I really dislike Leonard anyway you pronounce it. I think it's the -nard sound that is just really unattractive to me. Lennart is somewhat better, especially if you pronounce the t at the end as a t.I don't think there would be any spelling or pronunciation issues, at least not in the U.S. I don't think it's common anymore at all. Sure, why not? But Lenny seems more natural.
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I like Leonard (spelled this way). I would pronounce it LEN-nard. I don't think you would have any serious trouble with the spelling. I love the NN Leo! I also love the NN Lenny (that is my son's NN).It is not popular at all as far as I can tell. I have never met a Leonard under, maybe, 50? It may grow slightly more popular with the growing popularity of "vintage grandparent names", but not enough that it should deter you.
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Not a fave, but it's acceptable. Don't hate it. Just nms.
Most people would prob'ly go w/ the standard spelling of Leonard unless told otherwise.
I haven't seen any signs of it getting common and have no idea why Leo couldn't be used as a nn... since it's a normal standard one... Don't really like the Lennard sp. Looks not quite right.
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I pronounce it Len-nard, and also spell it Leonard. I think Leo is a great nickname and definitely works. I think Leonard would be the first spelling people would think of (it is for me), especially if you used the nickname Leo, but I don't know for sure.
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