Sam or Leo?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2006
Sam or Leo?
15
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 12:19am

There are 2 names at the top of our list:

Samuel (nn Sam)

Leo

Would love opinions and impressions on these names.

Thanks so much,

Jennie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
In reply to: jenninbama
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 8:29am

Both of these names are two of my favourites, so I will tell you my thoughts on each:

Samuel nn Sam- LOVE it- sweet, classic, a great name overall. The only problem is its current popularity. It is coming back BIG and I knows TONS of little boys named Sam

Leo- I love this, it is classy, spunky, and not common at all. The only problem for me is, it seems like a nn. However, I don't like any of the full names- Leonard, Leonardo, etc.

Maybe you would like Charles nn Chaz?

-Nikki


                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: jenninbama
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 3:13pm

I pretty much agree with Nikki's comments on these.


Samuel, nn Sam - great name but pretty popular (even for girls as nn for Samantha)


Leo - first associations for me are DiCaprio and Leo the Lion (astrology); between the two I think I like Leo more because it's less common


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2006
In reply to: jenninbama
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 3:52pm
Hi Jennie. These are two great choices. Leo gets 100% of my vote - great name, underused, easy to say/spell, go for it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2006
In reply to: jenninbama
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 4:37pm

I too, like them both, but prefer Leo. It's fresh sounding. Maybe as a nn for Leopold if you're that bold?? Hmm, I rhymed...

Morgan

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2001
In reply to: jenninbama
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 9:17pm

My first association with the name Samuel- Jewish, Hasidic, yarmulkes, Biblical. Those are my first associations. After that, I think of a well-mannered, intelligent, educated boy. So I like the name.

I find the name Leo to be far sexier, more exotic, and dynamic than Samuel... Leo brings to mind a burst of light where Samuel seems very staid and steady.

I don't know which one is better- I guess it really depends on your style! :-) I definitely like both names, though...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
In reply to: jenninbama
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 10:01pm

Samuel (nn Sam) -- I actually think this is very sweet, but it is one of the more popular "nn names" at the moment (along with Ben, Max, Jack, and all their given names). I guess it depends on how much popularity you're comfortable with.

Leo -- this is a great choice. Along the same lines as Sam and the others that are currently popular, but you don't hear it nearly as often. I agree about it sounding less formal than a longer fn with the nn option, but I also see your point about not liking Leonard(o) -- I don't care for that version quite as much either. I do, however, like Leopold or even Leander.

Really I think you'll make a fine choice either way. You just have to decide which you prefer and how common or uncommon you'd like the name to be. ;)

Good luck!

~Kelli


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: jenninbama
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 8:55pm

Interesting dilemma. I was in the same spot five years ago. My son was born in Nov. 2001 and I had considered Samuel to be patriotic post 9/11. Also, I loved the name. It is very classic and old-fashioned. Prior to me announcing this, my son name was to be Benjamin Leo. I chose Benjamin for the same reason I chose Samuel. It was a classic. My DH chose Leo. Well, Sams were being born left and right and my 2 y.o. DD declared she hated Ben. We told her to name her brother and she picked Leo. My little Leo Gabriel just turned five on 11/1 and I could not imagine having named him anything else. He has red hair and blue eyes and is about the most imaginative, creative, full of life kid I have ever met. All of the descriptions of Leo being spunky are right on for my kid. So that is my story and of course Leo gets my vote 100%. Best of luck to you and your family.

Theresa (mama to Becca Clare 7 1/2 and Leo Gabriel 5)

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2005
In reply to: jenninbama
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 8:58pm

I love Sam. I think it's a versatile name in that it sounds affectionate for a little boy but strong enough for an adult.

For Leo, honestly, I think of a lion, but that's just me.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2006
In reply to: jenninbama
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 8:03am
Hi! I would go with Leo because it is not as common. I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday and there were two men in there at different times who called out to their kids names same. I never hear the name Leo except for Leo DiCaprio. I hope that helps. Happy New Year and big hugs too. Bye
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2006
In reply to: jenninbama
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:36pm
I don't particulary like Sam or Samuel..I don't know why, it just seems plain to me. But that's my opinion. Leo is different but not so different it's like whoa, you know? At first, I think Leonardo DiCaprio, but that's probably because I'm part of the Titanic generation that had his poster on my bedroom door in high school. But that won't be a problem by the time your child gets in school, and I actually doubt anyone will associate him with the actor now, really. I'd go for Leo!

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