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Baby names

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

Original poster

Laura or Martha?

106 replies

Sell123 · 30/07/2023 12:36

As the title suggests. Which would you use?

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Spidey66 · 04/08/2023 18:44

Martha has the edge for me but both are lovely names.

GrinAndVomit · 04/08/2023 18:42

How about Flora? It’s a more modern (old-fashioned modern of course) version of Laura.

Lou670 · 04/08/2023 18:40

I have a Laura so it's a Laura from me!

Elsiebear90 · 04/08/2023 18:39

Laura is my name so I’m biased, I didn’t realise so many people liked it, thought they’d say it was dated! I was born 1990 and know a lot of Laura’s, but not any babies or young children.

ParisP · 04/08/2023 18:29

Laura is nice but very 80s

GrinAndVomit · 04/08/2023 18:29

Martha
I don’t dislike Laura but I went to school with lots of them.

ParisP · 04/08/2023 18:28

Martha is beautiful name

Orangejelly88 · 04/08/2023 18:21

Laura, for sure!
Timeless classic in my opinion
Elegant, feminine yet strong

PlumsInTheIcebox · 31/07/2023 08:52

MerryMarigold · 31/07/2023 08:08

Laura. I know a Martha who is called 'Marf' by everyone, including parents, which is truly horrible!

This is a good point - I have to admit we wouldn’t have used Martha if we had still been living in London.

MrsMop1964 · 31/07/2023 08:21

Now I can't stop singing "Tell Laura I love her".

MerryMarigold · 31/07/2023 08:08

Laura. I know a Martha who is called 'Marf' by everyone, including parents, which is truly horrible!

gjg · 31/07/2023 07:37

Martha was at the top of my list for my daughter born 24 years ago. However I went for another name in the end as I'm a teacher and Arthur was having a surge, I didn't want her to be an adult Martha dating an Arthur!

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 31/07/2023 07:03

Completely fascinating perceptions of popularity here. Laura for me is in the same box as Gemma, Hannah, Sarah, Emma etc as one of the 80s names that occurred many times over in my girls’ school - the kind of name where I feel I need to add the surname to clarify which one I mean. It was absolutely everywhere!

Martha had a small boost a few years ago but has never bothered the top 50 and never will because as this thread shows it’s pretty Marmite. It must be one of those names that features in very local micro-trends if there are several pp who perceive it to be very popular, because statistically it really isn’t.

aSpanielintheworks · 30/07/2023 22:50

Laura ❤
I know a Marla too, as a consideration, I like that better than Martha.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 30/07/2023 22:47

Laura - classic. They'll be a lot around aged about 35-50 but she'll likely be the only one in her class and it's simple and pretty.

Martha - hipster trendy again now. I also find it a bit drudgy sounding personally.

StellaGibson2022 · 30/07/2023 21:39

Laura is lovely.

Ive worked with a 20 something year old Martha and found her to be cold, selfish and snobby - she ruined the name for me!

TheWayTheLightFalls · 30/07/2023 21:32

Martha is “Handmaid’s Tale” for me, I find it a really ugly name.

Lilisae · 30/07/2023 21:29

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PickledScrump · 30/07/2023 21:24

Martha. Laura is a bit of a mums name now as it was very popular in 80s & 90s. I only know one Martha and she’s lovely

smalbert · 30/07/2023 21:16

Martha definitely a beautiful timeless name. About 16 years ago Laura was over used

Coffeeandcakemum · 30/07/2023 21:09

Laura

Hankthehonk · 30/07/2023 21:01

I associate Martha with the Marthas in a handmaids tale but nobody else has mentioned that so maybe not a common link to make.
Laura is a lovely name which might well be due a revival. I was born in the 80s and went to school with 5 Lauras. Still have 3 Lauras as some of my closest friends so can never refer to them without using their surname.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 30/07/2023 19:09

Neverseenbefore · 30/07/2023 13:45

Really? Lauren was popular then but the Lauras I know were born in the ‘60s.

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i was at school and uni with so many Laura’s and was born late 80s. We had more Laura’s than Lauren’s.

BigBeeee · 30/07/2023 18:51

Both are great names. I'd go with Laura as it is timeless and Martha ebbs and flows.

petitebleu · 30/07/2023 18:49

Lots of Marthas coming through preschool at the moment, so I would avoid for that reason. I haven't had a Laura since the early 90's, but I agree with others that it's a lovely name.

What about Lara?