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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Laurie or Toby?

34 replies

twiglet2 · 14/02/2017 14:37

Expecting baby 2 in 6 weeks and really struggling with boys names. We also struggled with my daughter and named her Juno Emily, which really suits her. Having looked online everyone seems to think Laurie (our first choice) is a girls name. Any help would be appreciated!

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PageStillNotFound404 · 16/02/2017 20:22

Both lovely names - I know a little Toby and he's ace - but Laurie just shades it for me as it's that little bit rarer and has the literary connections. Personally as PPs have said I'd put Laurence on the BC so he has options in the future.

SnowWhite33 · 16/02/2017 20:00

I prefer full/longer versions like Laurence and Tobias (love) as first given names. Then nn Laurie or Toby is fine. Otherwise it seems like something is missing to me..
Especially Laurie as a full name sounds very girly, like Laura.

MiniMaxi · 15/02/2017 13:10

Personally I would choose Toby (it was on our shortlist) - but I think Laurie & Juno sounds cute and cool!

I'd put Laurence on bc so he's got options (Larry, Laszlo ... Hehe) (and also to be clear it's a boy's name!)

anonbecauseiwanna · 15/02/2017 13:03

Toby just makes me think of a pet dog for some reason.

anonbecauseiwanna · 15/02/2017 13:02

Well Laurie is either a nn for Lauren or Laurence as pp have said.
The only Laurie I know is female though.

Mummyinoz · 15/02/2017 10:12

Love Laurie as NN for Laurence. Would assume its a boy. Not keen on Toby, a bit run of the mill in my opinion.

LosingDory · 15/02/2017 07:55

Laurie

ScarletForYa · 15/02/2017 07:50

Laurie.

Toby is feeble.

Summerisdone · 15/02/2017 07:33

My DS is called Toby so obvs I like that name, but I think I've just fallen in love with the name Laurie and now wish I could go back a couple of years to rename him Grin

SuperBeagle · 15/02/2017 07:30

Toby.

Laurie just reminds me of lorries. I only associate it with males because of an obnoxious radio personality where I live, otherwise I wouldn't know whether a Laurie was male or female.

BridgetDarcy · 15/02/2017 07:30

Toby

Mclaren37 · 15/02/2017 05:37

Laurie. Full name Laurence. Toby is a bit wet and reminds me of Toby jugs! I don't understand its new found popularity.

Itsnothingoriginal · 14/02/2017 20:52

I have a ds called Laurie!

It's still quite unusual although I have met several (all male!) Although it is unisex its more commonly used for boys in the UK.

He's in his teens now and loves his name Smile

Jooni · 14/02/2017 18:18

Laurie is much more interesting. I like both, but I know several Tobys and no Lauries so I think it sits better alongside Juno. We have a Juno too, btw - great choice! Wink

Yika · 14/02/2017 18:03

Laurie does sound like a girl's name to me. Toby is nicer.

KlingybunFistelvase · 14/02/2017 18:01

If it's between Laurie on its own and toby, I'd go for Toby, but if Laurie is short for Lawrence I'd go for that.

I love Laurie as a shortening of Lawrence / Laurence, but on its own I would probably think it was a girl's name if I read it on a list of names or something, but that doesn't make it bad. The reason I don't like it on its own is because it sounds a bit nicknamey to me. I don't know why I don't feel the same way about Toby though Confused.

septembersunshine · 14/02/2017 17:52

Laurie is next door to laura for me. Toby!

Chocolatecake12 · 14/02/2017 17:22

Toby
I think it goes really well with Juno

littlepooch · 14/02/2017 17:19

I actually like both but think Toby just edges it for me.

Sophronia · 14/02/2017 17:17

Definitely Laurie! Not keen on Toby

Laquila · 14/02/2017 16:35

Both lovely names. I know a little Laurie and AFAIK no-one expects him to be a girl.

Actually it would have been on my boys list but we have a very close relative called Lauren nn Laurie so it wouldn't really have worked.

CaipirinhasAllRound · 14/02/2017 16:33

Laurie short for Lawrence, was on our list for our son

indigo13 · 14/02/2017 15:27

I know a little boy called Laurie, I like it. Toby is meh

Lindy2 · 14/02/2017 15:16

Laurie short for Laurence. I have a Lauren that I call Laurie too. I think it works equally well as a nn for a boy or girl.
I like Toby too but prefer Laurie.

Original poster
twiglet2 · 14/02/2017 14:58

I think maybe Laurie is considered more of a girls name in America? My first thought was of Laurie Lee, who was definitely male. That's the only thing that's making me doubt it. My mum is desperate to call the baby Toby, but we used to have (an admittedly very cool) guinea pig called Toby!

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