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Baby names

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

Original poster

Laurence nn Lars

57 replies

Endoftetherweather · 04/01/2024 16:02

We like this name for a boy, despite being slightly put off by despicable rent-an-outrage Laurence Fox.

We really like the nn Lars, rather than Loz or Laurie. Does it feel a bit too contrived? We’re in NW England with no links to Scandinavia.

Other contenders are Rafael (but we’re very much English) and Gabriel (we’re in no way religious). Not easy this naming malachy!!

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Goodnessgraciousmee · 11/01/2024 21:16

Know of a Laurence who goes by Lance

DinoRodney · 10/01/2024 17:46

FayCarew · 10/01/2024 14:54

Isn't Malachy said as Mal-uh-kee and Malachi said as Mall-uck-eye?
I say malarkey as Mal Ark Ee

Yes. But I was going by what she typed

FayCarew · 10/01/2024 14:54

Isn't Malachy said as Mal-uh-kee and Malachi said as Mall-uck-eye?
I say malarkey as Mal Ark Ee

BatteryPowerGnat · 10/01/2024 13:52

@Endoftetherweather a friend's child called Gabriel now uses his middle name instead due to being teased about Gay-briel so I would avoid it.

DinoRodney · 10/01/2024 13:32

Endoftetherweather · 04/01/2024 16:02

We like this name for a boy, despite being slightly put off by despicable rent-an-outrage Laurence Fox.

We really like the nn Lars, rather than Loz or Laurie. Does it feel a bit too contrived? We’re in NW England with no links to Scandinavia.

Other contenders are Rafael (but we’re very much English) and Gabriel (we’re in no way religious). Not easy this naming malachy!!

You’ve inadvertently chosen his name - the phrase is this naming malarkey. Malachy is a boy’s name, and a lovely one. Can also be spelled Malachi.

SkaneTos · 10/01/2024 13:18

Lars is a great name!
It's common in Sweden, where it's a proper name/full name, not a nickname.
(The nicknames for Lars in Sweden are usually Lasse or Larsa).

A long time ago I think Lars was a short form of Laurentius.
So I think using Lars as a nickname for Laurence/Lawrence could work well.

Mintygoodness · 06/01/2024 17:58

There are so many names from other cultures that just became absorbed into the English naming cultures that are not even recognized as remotely unusual: Linda, Michelle, Isabella, Maureen, Jasmine, Kai, Dara and the most popular name in the UK for many years has been Muhammad in all its different forms.

Enko · 05/01/2024 16:09

As. Scandinavian I'd say just use Lars it's a great name.

yirka · 05/01/2024 16:02

It's a bit like calling a Joseph "José".
They're two separate names with different cultural origins so I'm not sure why you would do that.

If Lars is the name you really want then why not put it on the BC? (And, for what it's worth, Laurence Fox was probably be unknown/irrelevant to today's kids.)

greentreez23 · 05/01/2024 12:17

The ones I know are called Laurie or Larry

FayCarew · 05/01/2024 11:37

@MrsKwazi , Malachy (given name) - Wikipedia

Elspethelf · 05/01/2024 03:46

LaurieStrode · 05/01/2024 03:32

But it's not about what she loves. He's not a pet.

It's about giving options to a human being who will spend most of his life as an adult.

Show quote history

I only know Lars as a human name. I’ve never heard of a pet named Lars

LaurieStrode · 05/01/2024 03:32

Elspethelf · 05/01/2024 02:46

I like Lars! I like short names that end in S. Lars, Mars, James, Rhys, Thomas, Amos, Lewis, Miles, Niles, Giles, Brooks, Hayes etc. I would go with the name you love and not force a nickname

But it's not about what she loves. He's not a pet.

It's about giving options to a human being who will spend most of his life as an adult.

LaurieStrode · 05/01/2024 03:31

Love it, and it gives him multiple options in adulthood.

Elspethelf · 05/01/2024 02:46

I like Lars! I like short names that end in S. Lars, Mars, James, Rhys, Thomas, Amos, Lewis, Miles, Niles, Giles, Brooks, Hayes etc. I would go with the name you love and not force a nickname

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 04/01/2024 23:49

I can't believe it. I know a Loz and never assumed his name was Laurence 😂. I went to school with a Laurence. No nickname

HundredMilesAnHour · 04/01/2024 23:35

I have 2 family members both called Laurence. Both get called Larry (whether they like it or now). NW England.

Lars is contrived unless you're of Scandinavian origin. It most certainly isn't a nickname for Laurence.

Are there not any English names you like?!

MrsMoastyToasty · 04/01/2024 23:30

My cousin uses Lance instead of Laurence.

sunflowerpinks · 04/01/2024 23:29

Sorry use ( can you edit on the app?)

sunflowerpinks · 04/01/2024 23:28

Lars is a Scandinavian name in its own right.

Laurence is a completely different name (actually a girls name in France), so I definitely wouldn't say se Lars as a nickname. It doesn't even sound similar!

Wytchy · 04/01/2024 23:15

In Dublin Laurences tend to get called Lar. Lars seems a touch contrived.

BreadInCaptivity · 04/01/2024 23:07

Goldenretrievermum · 04/01/2024 22:01

Lars is a name in its own right. To use it as a nickname for Laurence would just be wrong really.

FWIW I really like Lars though, only ever known one! He was in DD’s class all through primary school, no links at all to Scandinavia and both sisters have very ‘normal’ names. His parents just liked it! Fresh and unique, it’s really nice

Edited

Agree.

Name him Lars or Lawrence.

Your suggestion is akin to naming a child Theodore and having Tom as a nickname.

theduchessofspork · 04/01/2024 22:26

I like it

However Raphael and Gabriel are popular names - so only biblical in the same way James and John are.

Goldenretrievermum · 04/01/2024 22:01

Lars is a name in its own right. To use it as a nickname for Laurence would just be wrong really.

FWIW I really like Lars though, only ever known one! He was in DD’s class all through primary school, no links at all to Scandinavia and both sisters have very ‘normal’ names. His parents just liked it! Fresh and unique, it’s really nice

MBL · 04/01/2024 20:54

Laurie is a great nickname, like Jo's friend/Amy's husband in Little Women.

I know three adults called Laurence and none of them shorten it.