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Baby names

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

Original poster

Lauren - please help because I AM bovvered!!

85 replies

smellybulldog · 20/12/2008 06:38

I am due to be induced TONIGHT and still don't have a girls name! We had pretty much decided on the name Lauren until a couple of days ago when I found out it was the name of that horrible Catherine Tate character. Am I the only person who didn't know this character's name? Now I'm worried that it's a really chavvy name and I'm the only person who didn't know. I know I will probably annoy/offend a lot of people by using the word chavvy but as I'm talking about the 'am I bovvered?' girl I think you know what I'm saying. Just wondered if you could give me your views on the name?

OP posts:
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sorkycake · 21/12/2008 14:44

No it wasn't me, we refer to her as Indy.

I can honestly say it depends on where you live because we have never heard of another child called India where we are.
In fact when we named her 7 years ago we got plenty of looks, but there again we did name her after the cat!

Lots of Laurens btw, tons of Bethany's, Sophie's, Ellies etc.
It does cycle through I agree.
As a general rule I'd have thought any name chosen by a celeb within the year that you give birth, is to be avoided like the plague.

Every name sounds terrible when shouted across a shopping centre, regardless of what it is.
What are your kids called Liffy?

LiffeySaysNollaigShona · 21/12/2008 13:30

'an eye on what names are coming in and out'

LiffeySaysNollaigShona · 21/12/2008 13:30

Names do slide down the social scale. I read it in Freakonomics, but it's not rocket science. It wouldn't be news to anybody who keeps an what names are coming in and out of fashion, and has a feel for what's round the corner.

It doesn't mean the name will be tarnished though. MOST names will stop at 'neutral' and simply go out of fashion.

IMO names like RUby which rise in popularity really quickly are the ones in most danger of becoming a bit tarnished. Sienna and INdia the same.

Simplysally · 21/12/2008 12:30

Today's classy names will be chavvy next year then .

I've got one of the most popular names for girls in the 60s/70s but I have always loved being called it. Names are what you make them.

Nancy66 · 21/12/2008 11:58

I think age is relevant here - it's only become chavvy in the last few years. The India comparison is a good one, as is Sienna.

Simplysally · 21/12/2008 11:17

I've known 3 Laurens - one went to Kings College London, one wants to be a vet and the third one is my daughter's friend. What about Lauren Bacall come to that?

It's not chavvy at all.

Go for it .

LiffeySaysNollaigShona · 21/12/2008 11:13

I beg to differ. eg India HIcks. And then I have heard IndeeeeeeYAH being yelled in the Bentall centre. Was it yOU?

sorkycake · 21/12/2008 10:48

India nor Lauren sound any different regardless of age group Liffey.

LiffeySaysNollaigShona · 21/12/2008 10:40

Scotia, names can have different vibes within different age groups.

Eg a two year old India and 40 yr old India.

bigbaubles · 21/12/2008 08:46

I am a Lauren.
I do not consider myself a chav!
It's a great name, popular enough for people to know how to spell it but unusual enough that nobody ever says 'which Lauren?'

RhinestoneReindeerHerder · 20/12/2008 21:52

One of my oldest friends is called Lauren, so that's what I think of, not Ms Tate

Clary · 20/12/2008 21:44

Lauren doesn't make me think of that character at all.

It is quite popular tho if that bothers you (2 in DS1's class for eg)

Scotia · 20/12/2008 21:40

It's a beautiful name. Nobody could call Lauren Bacall 'chavvy'.

pamelat · 20/12/2008 19:52

I dont think that Lauren is chavvy at all, and I never knew it was the characters name.

I know twins that are Lauren and Holly, and they are both very lovely little girls

Good luck

KateF · 20/12/2008 18:32

I don't think Lauren is at all chavvy but it is very popular round here-all my dds (aged 9,7 and 4) have more than one friend named Lauren. If you need alternatives dd3 has a Lara and a Leoni in her class. Good luck with the birth.

LiffeySaysNollaigShona · 20/12/2008 18:22

I wouldn't use it tbh, not just because of AM I BOVERED, but because it's been around and popular for a long time.

Laurel is nicer imo

MrsWeasleyStrokesSantasSack · 20/12/2008 15:19

I didn't realise the Catherine Tate girl was called Lauren. I have a Lauren LOL

ninedragons · 20/12/2008 15:09

If you meet a 25-year-old Felicity, do you think ahh, I bet your parents liked The Good Life?

I didn't know that was the character's name but CT's star (thankfully) already seems to be on the wane, and the obnoxious programme will be completely forgotten within about two years.

wheresthehamster · 20/12/2008 15:06

I like Laurie better. But the Laurens who are dd1's friends are not at all chavvy, they are sooper-dooper clever and Will Go Far

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 20/12/2008 14:18

Now I know the Catherine Tate character, however I don't associate the name Lauren with her.

I associate it with my absolutely lovely favourite, best baby sitter in the world,

ElectraInExcelsis · 20/12/2008 14:17

It's a nice name, but it is quite popular which is why it isn't on my shortlist.

Original poster
smellybulldog · 20/12/2008 12:49

Thanks for your opinions everyone, even Nancy66, I did ask! I was genuinely interested to see if the name had those kind of connotations for people, if it does for some people then that's fair enough. That's what I wanted to know. Seems like the majority think its nice though. Thanks for the suggestion seeker but my dad is a big Laurel and Hardy fan so I can't go for that and Laura is my SIL's name. Anyway, thanks everyone, who knows, it might be a boy in which case it's all irrelevant!

OP posts:
sorkycake · 20/12/2008 12:37

It seemed to be very popular about 7/8 years ago and it did become a bit commonplace to hear a baby had been named Lauren.

You don't hear so many girls called that now and I personally think there are prettier names (laurie) but I wouldn't describe it as Chavvy, no.

Bestest birthing wishes to you!

Nancy66 · 20/12/2008 12:26

there's one in EastEnders too....

Jenbottleofeggnog · 20/12/2008 12:23

I'd never think Lauren was chavvy at all, pretty and classy IMO.