Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Laura or Gemma?

111 replies

PimmsAndPonies · 20/05/2019 10:29

We are expecting DC2 shortly and two of the girl names we are considering are:

Laura
Gemma

Which do you prefer? DC1 is a boy and has a very traditional boys name (5 letters), so we want a nice short traditional girl's name to go with his name.

I'm leaning towards Laura, but my OH prefers Gemma. Any comments on either name would be appreciated.

Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
RuffleCrow · 20/05/2019 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Wrong thread

cookiechomper · 20/05/2019 20:03

I like Gemma. Laura is too bland in my opinion.

Sexnotgender · 20/05/2019 20:02

Of the 2 I prefer Laura.

DramaAlpaca · 20/05/2019 20:00

Laura

RuffleCrow · 20/05/2019 18:29

Div, Gemma dates back to the 14th century. I don't want to say you're living up to your name, but well...

Fulltimemummy85 · 20/05/2019 17:18

Laura or Jena not Gemma, it's a 90's name

Divgirl2 · 20/05/2019 14:42

Laura is a traditional name, Gemma is as traditional as Bananarama or lycra.

So for that reason Laura - it's the only one that fits your own brief.

SallyWD · 20/05/2019 14:34

I can't choose, I love them both. Both underused at the mo.

SugarMiceInTheRain · 20/05/2019 14:16

Laura, quite a classic name in my opinion. Gemma less so. Though I know an absolutely lovely and beautiful Jemma.

Namechange8471 · 20/05/2019 14:08

Laura at a push, but both very dated and boring (imo).
What about:

Lucy
Amy
Jessica
Lauren
Caitlin
Sarah
Sophie
Anna
Annie
Kate
Katie
Leah
Jade
Brooke
Rose
Hannah
Erin

HerondaleDucks · 20/05/2019 14:08

As a Lorna. I hate Laura with a passion. So definitely Gemma

formerbabe · 20/05/2019 14:03

In a similar style...how about

Sarah?
Claire?
Emily?
Kate?
Jennifer?

formerbabe · 20/05/2019 14:00

Laura is a classic

Gemma is very 80s/90s

Original poster
PimmsAndPonies · 20/05/2019 13:58

OH doesn't like Jemima, and Aurora is not traditional enough for us, but thank you.

OP posts:
helpmum2003 · 20/05/2019 13:54

Of those 2 Laura.

Jemima?
Aurora?

Original poster
PimmsAndPonies · 20/05/2019 13:49

Thanks for everyone's replies - all much appreciated.

I know that the names are a bit dull/old-fashioned for some people's taste, but for us we like classic/traditional names rather than anything too modern.

To the person that suggested Emma, sadly that's already a name in the family so we can't use it :(

OP posts:
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 20/05/2019 13:26

I love them both - I especially like Gemma because of the 1960s Noel Streatfeild books. Gemma was cool and could play the banjo. To me the name is only dated in a fabulous way!

Laura or Gemma?
MollyHuaCha · 20/05/2019 13:26

Laura

Howtotrainyourhamster · 20/05/2019 13:23

Laura is a classic - I know a 7 year old Laura.
Gemma is extremely dated 80s name - not keen on it at all, I also find it quite a hard name.
So, out of these, Laura.

Bumsnet69 · 20/05/2019 13:22

I prefer Lara to Laura. Dr Zhivago vibes.

Not keen on Gemma.

outsho · 20/05/2019 13:18

Really 80s/90s, not keen on either. Went to school with lots of Laura’s and Gemma’s, I don’t see those names doing the rounds again for a very long time.

twilightcafe · 20/05/2019 13:09

Laura is pretty and timeless.
Gemma is a bit dated.

Complainingagain · 20/05/2019 13:09

I think they're both quite dated and dull but if I had to choose it would be Laura

Freyanna · 20/05/2019 13:07

Laura

Cookit · 20/05/2019 13:01

Laura 100%.

Gemma is such an 80s name.

Swipe left for the next trending thread