Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Undecided between Laurence, Miles and Jonah

69 replies

TallulahDoesTheHula · 03/03/2011 11:29

What do you think?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
tummytickler · 03/03/2011 11:33

Laurence, Jonah and then Miles in that order. I think Laurie is such a cute nn, and that is what makes me prefer Laurence to Jonah. If you are not using a nn, then I prefer Jonah to Laurence.

theagedparent · 03/03/2011 11:35

Laurence because it has the best nns, Laurie and Larry

mayanna123 · 03/03/2011 11:35

Laurence is the female version of Laurent, I much prefer Lawrence.

Miles sounds like the plural of Mile to my ears so am not keen.

Jonah is the nicest (although means 'bringer of bad luck).

pinkhebe · 03/03/2011 11:36

Jonah is lovely

rachel1970 · 03/03/2011 11:38

I know a female Laurence (pronounced Lor-ohnse if that makes sence) and Laurie sounds too much like Laura imo.

Not keen on Miles (like calling someone Kilometres Grin), Jonah is the nicest imo.

CuppaTeaJanice · 03/03/2011 11:41

I like Laurie, and the Finnish version Lauri, but Laurence seems a bit formal and pompous.

Miles is ok if a bit bookish.

Jonah reminds me of whales and porn stars (Jonah Falcon)

FattyArbuckel · 03/03/2011 11:42

Laurence is great - not keen on the other choices though

poppydaisy · 03/03/2011 11:43

Miles does sound the plural of Mile to my ears as well, I'm not keen. I prefer Lawrence as Laurence is a girls name in France (male version is Laurent). Jonah has an unfortunate meaning but has the nicest sound imo.

CameronCook · 03/03/2011 12:32

Laurence is my fave although DS has a friend called Miles and his group have yet to find a shortened version if that is important to you

bigbluebump · 03/03/2011 13:01

Laurence is much too feminine imo. He will not thank you for it, especially if he ever travels outside of the UK.

Miles is too much like Kilometres, sorry.

I do like Jonah, but agree that the meaning isn't ideal.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 03/03/2011 13:08

None. Go for Duncan or Gavin.

lockets · 03/03/2011 13:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TallulahDoesTheHula · 03/03/2011 13:31

I love Jonah best I think but its the one that DH is least keen on, he prefers Miles.
Laurence is the compromise one I think.

Does everyone prefer Lawrence to Laurence? I didnt realise that Laurence is a girls name in France, I just thought it was a slightly nicer looking spelling of the boys name.
The thing that is drawing me back from the name is that I love having nicknames for names and I'm just not sure on Laurie (wont kids laugh at him and call him 'lorry' or 'truck'? I took Philippa off my girls name list when I mentioned it to my DCs and they both laughed and said 'Flipper' repeatedly!!)
Hadnt thought of the nn Larry. That might work. I do think Lawrence/Laurence is a bit of a solemn name for a baby/child and would prefer to have a nn to soften it until he gets older tbh.

Any other similar names that might do the job? (not Duncan or Gavin! sorry)

OP posts:
lilibet · 03/03/2011 13:39

I like Laurence best (not Lawrence!), followed by Miles and I'm afraid Jonah doesn't make my list at all.

bigbluebump · 03/03/2011 13:39

"Laurence \la(u)-ren-ce, laur(e)-nce\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Laurence), is of French origin. Feminine form of Lawrence."

cumbria81 · 03/03/2011 13:42

Laurence is nice. Miles is awful. Jonah is a bit....trying too hard. And it's not a nice story really in the Bible

Thissideofchannel · 03/03/2011 14:07

Laurence is definately a girls name, the female version of Laurent, in France.

PorkChopSter · 03/03/2011 14:09

Lawrence makes a great teenaged Lozzer Grin

Miles is a no for me, and Jonah is ok but a tad too Octonauts.

TallulahDoesTheHula · 03/03/2011 14:21

is there a Jonah in octonaouts??
have heard people talkig of the tv show but ds doesnt watch it so havent seen it!

OP posts:
PorkChopSter · 03/03/2011 14:23

Too aquatic/whales etc

AlmaMartyr · 03/03/2011 14:23

I like Laurence/Lawrence best. Not very keen on Miles and I don't like Jonah at all tbh, it always makes me think of a whale. I know quite a few babies called Jonah as well so think it's getting more popular if you're worried about that.

Thissideofchannel · 03/03/2011 14:25

With all the road signs in the UK stating the word 'x miles' wouldn't it be odd to be named this?

At least on the continent you only see Kilometres Smile.

evamummy · 03/03/2011 14:50

I don't like either of the them, I'm afraid. Miles is indeed to 'metrical', Laurences a little feminine and Jonah means 'bringer of bad luck'... Sorry. But it is not us but you who needs to love the name Smile.

growing3rdbump · 03/03/2011 17:08

I like Jonah best. I know a French, female Laurence, but don't really like the name. Miles is ok.

MackerelOfFact · 03/03/2011 17:17

I really like Laurence/Lawrence, has always been on my boys lists. I knew one at University, it always seemed very distinguished without being poncey.

Like Miles too. Jonah I like, but dislike the loner/whale/bad luck attachments so wouldn't use it for that reason.