Lionel vs. Leonel

OneLove 09

We are thinking about this name as a middle name, but not sure which way to spell it. I want it pronounced like Lee-o-nell as opposed to Lye-noll. I love the spelling Lionel better than Leonel, but fear that more people would mispronounce it that way. WDYT?

I know most people won't even call him by his middle name, but still... )

 

ETA: Would you pronounce Leonel as Lee-o-nell at first sight? I guess that's what I really want to know!  

TIA!

evaazalea

I would mispronounce it with Lionel, that to me is Lye-noll, but at the same time, I can't even count syllables today so my opinion isn't worth a lot atm!

OneLove 09

TysMomPlusOne:

I would mispronounce it with Lionel, that to me is Lye-noll, but at the same time, I can't even count syllables today so my opinion isn't worth a lot atm!

lol, I saw that post just now! Don't worry, I kept counting 4 + 3 as 6 the other day when we were playing a board game!! To make things worse, I teach 2nd grade so it was extra embarrassing  because everyone kept making fun of me for it! )

Rangergal9

I like the name Lionel (just as it is pronounced) as it was my late grandfather's name.  But, that aside I guess just putting the E and spelling it Leonel would make people say Lee-o-nel.

braveangel2

Again, it's a matter of what do you want to change - the spelling (which is made up) or the pronunciaiton (which is wrong). Lionel would be spelled right, you'd just change the pronuciation whereas, Leonel would lend to the pronunciation but is a made up name.

I had the same issue with Dashiell, and I still haven't come to any conclusions. If I had to choose - like I'm on Jeopardy with a hot lamp in my eyes and a very angry woman with a 20lb dictionary ready to thump me - I'd choose the correct spelling and your varied pronunciation.

Allie30

I wouldn't give a child a traditional name if I wanted it pronounced untraditionally. "No, it's spelled S-A-R-A-H but it's pronounced like the grape varietal Syrah."

Yeah.... no.

 So then I guess I would name him Leonel -- though to be honest, that name is going to come with its own set of difficulties. 

pixieprincss

OneLove 09:

We are thinking about this name as a middle name, but not sure which way to spell it. I want it pronounced like Lee-o-nell as opposed to Lye-noll. I love the spelling Lionel better than Leonel, but fear that more people would mispronounce it that way. WDYT?

I know most people won't even call him by his middle name, but still... )

 

ETA: Would you pronounce Leonel as Lee-o-nell at first sight? I guess that's what I really want to know!  

TIA!

I would say it as Lionel. When I read your post title I thought you were debating between the proper spelling and a made up one. It wasn't until I read your text that I realized you were talking about a name I'd never heard of.  I agree with PP to not use the Lionel spelling and merely assign a different pronunciation.

OneLove 09

pixieprincss:

I would say it as Lionel. When I read your post title I thought you were debating between the proper spelling and a made up one. It wasn't until I read your text that I realized you were talking about a name I'd never heard of.  I agree with PP to not use the Lionel spelling and merely assign a different pronunciation.

Thanks ladies! I think you're right...

BTW, I didn't make up Leonel, I saw it in several books and online. They say it's the Spanish version. I don't really know how a name is "made up" anyway...aren't all of them made up at some point??

braveangel2

OneLove 09:

pixieprincss:

I would say it as Lionel. When I read your post title I thought you were debating between the proper spelling and a made up one. It wasn't until I read your text that I realized you were talking about a name I'd never heard of.  I agree with PP to not use the Lionel spelling and merely assign a different pronunciation.

Thanks ladies! I think you're right...

BTW, I didn't make up Leonel, I saw it in several books and online. They say it's the Spanish version. I don't really know how a name is "made up" anyway...aren't all of them made up at some point??

I'm always hesitant about some of the baby name websites as sources - there are some youneek names on a lot of them. BUT if you have found it to be a real name, then problem solved!