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Original poster

What's your favourite spelling of Lawrence/Laurence and why?

44 replies

DangerMousey · 13/08/2012 16:44

I am pondering putting Laurence/Lawrence on our shortlist of boys' names, but am not sure which spelling I prefer.

Does anyone have a preference? are there reasons to prefer one above the other that I am missing?? (is one more old fashioned? Are there any famous/infamous Law/Laurences I should be aware of??).

Also, what do you think of this as a boy's name in general? If we go with it, we will probably call him Laurie all the time anyway which I love, but I would rather give him the full name on his birth certificate, so he can use it when he's older, if he prefers...

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shoobidoo · 13/08/2012 18:58

But why choose a name for a boy that is clearly a girls' name in our neighbouring country? Especially when there is a version (Lawrence) that is clearly masculine.

That is the great thing about a global site as mumsnet - especially in an ever globalising world.

But feel free to ignore this advice, op.

Badgerina · 13/08/2012 18:57

p.s Larry is very cool too Smile

Badgerina · 13/08/2012 18:57

Laurence. It may well be a French girls' name, but it is also a perfectly legitimate way to spell a British boys' name Hmm

I would go with Laurence, because its the way my uncle spelled his name, and he was awesome (flew a Lancaster Bomber in WWII).

I think it's a great name choice, and Laurie sounds no more feminine to my ears than any other boys' nn with an "ie" ending (Ozzy, Olly, Toby, Eddie)

weaselm4 · 13/08/2012 18:50

Laurence, as it's my dad's name. He's A Laurie and I don't think I've ever met another one.

Also Laurence Rickard from Horrible Histories, who is cool. But he's a Larry.

ImpatientOne · 13/08/2012 18:41

I would go with Laurence.

I'm a bit Confused about all of the references to international spellings - did I miss something by OP? Lots of names change gender/meaning in different languages, it's a minefield!

My DF was very Hmm when my ILs first called him Simone but we cope!

shoobidoo · 13/08/2012 18:37

"Some people may argue that Laurence is very similar spelling to a French girl's name"

No, it IS a French girls name.

shoobidoo · 13/08/2012 18:36

Lawrence without a doubt!

Laurence is not only a girls name (in French speaking countries) but the nickname Laurie sounds so girly, like a nickname for Laura.

RubyFakeNails · 13/08/2012 18:31

Lawrence. Although its a heinous name.

VolAuVent · 13/08/2012 18:26

Lawrence

tammytoby · 13/08/2012 18:03

Lawrence.

Laurence and Laurie look very feminine to me. You never know where your ds may work, study or live one day - Laurence is a 100% female name in France!

rachel234 · 13/08/2012 17:57

Laurence is the female version of Laurent and I know quite a few lovely female Laurences. A bit like Florence and Florent.

Lawrence is unequivocably masculine in all languages.

Original poster
DangerMousey · 13/08/2012 17:03

V glad I checked now!! I hadn't thought that one was more surnamey! Thank-you :)

OP posts:
BackforGood · 13/08/2012 17:00

I too was going to say 'Laurence' because it's the "proper" way. Grin

minipie · 13/08/2012 16:55

Laurence because I like the nn Laurie (Lawrie looks wrong to me)

Ham69 · 13/08/2012 16:54

I'd definitely go with Laurence and 'Laurie' as nn. Love it. Many years ago I nannied for a lovely boy called Laurence and my friend has a 3 year old Laurence (Laurie most of the time). Some people may argue that Laurence is very similar spelling to a French girl's name, but I agree that the 'u' makes me think first name and the 'w' a surname. I

GaryTankCommander · 13/08/2012 16:52

Laurence... Because I know one. Lawrence looks wrong to me.

Arabellasmella · 13/08/2012 16:51

It's on my list too, I prefer the Laurence spelling from the laurel tree. And I like Laurie for short too. My husband has an Uncle Lolly though!!

picnicbasketcase · 13/08/2012 16:50

Laurence looks to me like a first name, Lawrence like a surname. No idea if that's actually the case though.

ProcrastinationAteMyMorning · 13/08/2012 16:48

Laurence 'cause it's the 'correct' spelling. It's logical to have a Laurie from Laurence but less so from Lawrence.

But, yes, I love the name!

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