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[Opinions] Leopold
I always found this to be a silly name, the kind that someone's ridiculous uncle would have in a comic novel, but yesterday I went to a lecture on the Belgian monarchy (go figure) and I've started taking it more seriously, as it often happens when you can attach a name to an actual person (in this case, a bunch of kings). Moreover, I like other "leo-" names like Leonard, Leonardo, and Leo "tout court". I don't think I'd have the nerve to use Leopold on a real child, but it's growing on me. WDYT?
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I really like this name and it's actually my fave of the longer "Leo" names. Classy, handsome, very masculine, I like it. Oh and it also makes me think of Hugh Jackman in the movie "Kate and Leopold" and in my opinion, that's definitely not a bad thing!
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I love it. I place it with Ludwig and Amadeus in the classical 18th century type of name. I think it's a very viable name, and would much rather see it than any of the more common names used today.
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Leopold and Leonardo are two of my favorite names (though these days Leopold is ahead). It definitely does have a more "silly" vibe than say Leonardo, but with the nn Leo it makes it seem more usable.
As much as I love Leopold, I'm not sure if I'd be able to use it either. I think that it's absolutely the cutest name ever for a little boy, but it seems to get more "silly" sounding with age, imo. As of now I'm probably more likely to use Leonardo, even though I love Leopold even more.
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Leopold "Butters" Scotchis a character from South Park, so I wouldn't use it. It's not a great association if you've watched the show. Even if I could put the image of Butters out of my mind, I still wouldn't use it. It does give off a "silly" vibe to me. I think Leonard / Leonardo / Leo sound much better.

This message was edited 2/28/2008, 2:29 PM

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I actually associate the name Leopold with the Beligian monarchy but as far as I know he was a tyran. The people in the African colonies suffered a lot and I keep thinking of a painting I saw in a book about him where African slaves got their hands chopped off. Because of that I prefer Leonardo, Léon or just Leo.
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there were three of them actuallyThe Congo one is Leopold II. The interesting one seems to have been his father, Leopold I, who was a not-so-important nobleman who basically "applied" for the job of king when the Belgians went looking for one.
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It's actually currently my #1 boy's name.I don't like Leonard all that much. Leonardo just isn't my style. Leo's great, but I like it better as a NN. Therefore, Leopold.I just think it's very regal sounding. Since Leo's more familiar, a Leopold would have a more every-day name to fall back on.My current combo is Leopold Alexander Mackenzie, "Leo". Kinda long for a kid, but I just like the regal-ness.
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I really like the sound of Leopold, it just brings to mind such elegance and bravery attached to an English or German nobleman. I first started liking it when I was studying Queen Victoria, her uncle was King Leopold of Belgium and she named her youngest son after him. The movie 'Kate & Leopold' is one of my favorites and it's based very loosely on the life of Victoria's son. So I guess you could say that when I hear the name Leopold I really think of Hugh Jackman! :) I really like the nn Leo and I think that it can be a name on it's own but works great with Leopold. I dislike Leonard, Leonardo is a bit better because of it's old man sound and I associate it with a certain weird uncle of mine. I really like Leon though and Leo would make a nice nn for that too.
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I like the name, but it is one of those cases in which you would almost expect the bearer to have been born into nobility.
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I adore Leopold! I would probably use it on a real child (although, possibly only as a mn), if DH would agree.
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There was the 20th century British statesman Leopold Amery - always known as Leo though, and with good reason I think. Leopold sounds so Teutonic - and from the nineteenth century at that!
I'd confine it to a big old tomcat!
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