Using friend's name as baby name

[Deerhound]

One of my best friends is named Laura. I love the name (partly because she's great, but also because it's a beautiful name) and would like to use it for future dd. Would that be wierd? I really don't know what the etiquette is.. N.b. Friend Laura lives abroad so I don't see her that often, but we do regular Skype and occasional holiday visits... Any thoughts?

[Riverland]

Not weird at all. Flattering to her! It's a lovely name.

[howcomes]

I was named after my mum's best friend who also lives abroad. I've always liked having a story about how I got my name. She will be flattered :)

[Tistheseasontobepissy]

I like Laura. I have a very good friend by that name . It eill last all though the ages

[loislines]

I think your friend will be flattered, but it's also a common enough name that you wouldn't have to say you'd names your daughter after your friend if you didn't want to.

[ChickenMe]

No it's fine. Laura is on my list. Nice for your child that there is a potential meaning for choosing it too. Classic name, pretty but not frilly.

[fidgetywidget]

Slightly different but my friend's DD has my name as her middle name, not sure it was directly inspired by me as I use a nickname version of it, but I was still flattered!
I think your friend would be too & it's not like you're seeing them daily/weekly so won't be any confusion.

[Jennifersrabbit]

I was given the same name as my mums bridesmaid, a fairly common 70s name and I think named 'same as' as opposed to 'named after'.

Don't remember it causing any trauma except that said bridesmaid is still, aged 66, referred to as 'Big Jennifersrabbit'

Laura is a lovely name.

[manicinsomniac]

Not weird at all. Everyone aged 20ish to 40ish has several friends called Laura. If the name was Amabelle or Evadne or something almost unheard of then maybe it would seem weird. But not Laura.

[Deerhound]

Thank you for the reassurance!

[Tea1Sugar]

Perhaps lara or Lauren if you think it's too close.