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Baby names

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

Too exotic?

64 replies

greenglue · 20/05/2019 08:08

Thanks for your comments on my other thread. I’ve now added Lara and Zara to my shortlist since it had quite good reviews.

Where would you assume a person with this name is from?

I’ve started to take a warning to Lara but I’ve only ever met a Turkish Lara. Where would you assume a Lara is from?

And where would you assume a Zara is from?

DH likes Ella.

Any preferences between those names?

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KronksSpinachPuffs · 27/08/2019 23:11

I mean I'm from a town in the north west and know both a Zara and a Lara... no idea what their backgrounds are but they're both white and from the same town so wouldn't really think anything of hearing those names.

Ella is alright but a bit meh and overused

Verily1 · 27/08/2019 23:05

I’d assume they were British

Zara is a British royal name

Lara is just like all the Cara Tara Mara Dara Sara names- very normal

Frith2013 · 26/08/2019 22:42

I’d presume they were from the Welsh Marches!

Don’t like Ella - a bit dull.

WinterHare · 26/08/2019 22:01

Zara
Ella
Lara

I know 2 English Zara's, one quite young and one older. 1 Polish Ella, early forties and 1 American Lara, same age.

joystir59 · 26/08/2019 21:50

Lara is a bit Lara croft to me, but I do like it.

joystir59 · 26/08/2019 21:50

I don't like Zara much, it sounds quite hard to me. Sarah is classier

Disfordarkchocolate · 26/08/2019 21:22

I wouldn't think they were from anywhere, perfectly normal names.

AverageMummy · 26/08/2019 21:20

A Lara or Zara that was 40+ would probably have more connotations but on a child both are very mainstream now
Both are lovely but Zara has the edge for me amongst a sea of Luna/Lola/Lily etc

user1493494961 · 26/08/2019 20:32

Prefer Zara but Lara's OK. I think Ella's past its best now.

Colourfulest · 26/08/2019 19:10

They really aren't exotic

Ravingstarfish · 26/08/2019 19:07

Both are ordinary names, I’m so disappointed.

Atlasta · 26/08/2019 19:05

They could be from absolutely anywhere.
I know a Zara who is far from 'exotic'.
Don't know a Lara but really like the name. I wouldn't have any presumptions about where she was from.
I'm sorry but I'd presume Ella was from a rough part of town.

Jeeperscreepers69 · 26/08/2019 19:01

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Jeeperscreepers69 · 26/08/2019 19:00

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Eustasiavye · 26/05/2019 19:59

I think those names would fit in anywhere.

AlliKaneErikson · 25/05/2019 01:31

My Lara is Welsh (as are the other 4 Laras I know - they’re all blonde, actually, so I probably associate it with that!). My dd is 9 but the other Laras are in their 20s and 30s.

Lara53 · 23/05/2019 21:50

Obviously Lara as it’s my name!!!

TatianaLarina · 23/05/2019 14:04

I live in London - I’ve met loads of English Laras and Zaras.

Ella has jumped the shark.

Chopinaround · 22/05/2019 20:46

I think Zara and Lara were once exotic but certainly aren’t now. And you can’t move for little Ella’s round here.

KindnessCrusader · 22/05/2019 20:12

I was not expecting either of these names from the title...wouldn't say either were exotic in the slightest. I think they're both great names though.

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 22/05/2019 19:34

When I here Zara i think of the high street chain.Lara is nicer.

TheVanguardSix · 22/05/2019 19:34

I love the name Lara. It is the Russian diminutive for Larissa. And of course, there is the infamous Lara (Larissa) Antipova from Doctor Zhivago. Julie Christie was a total babe in that film.

DD's friend is Zara, so I always think of her when I hear the name Zara.
Both names are beautiful, OP.

holdupthere · 22/05/2019 19:31

Zara and Lara are lovely. Much prefer to Ella.

holdupthere · 22/05/2019 19:30

I was expecting Spudulika (it's exotic, innit!)

ZebraKid71 · 22/05/2019 19:28

I don't think they're exotic but I do think they travel well.