What do you think of Lars?

[Gingernut81]

My OH & I really love the name Lars is baby's a boy but we're a bit worried it sounds a bit too out there!

The other options are Sebastian or Rafe. Any opinions?!

I love the name Rafe and much prefer it to the Ralph spelling. Whenever I see it spelled Ralph I can't help sniggering and saying it Ralph a la Priscilla Queen of the Dessert.

You'll never get a consensus on a name.
It's good enough that you agree on one with your OH.

(don't say what the girl name is going to be)

I know a small Lars, but his mother is of Swedish extraction.

I also think of the film 'Lars & the Real Girl' too.

Ha ha Lweji, I'll definitely keep quiet on that although it's fairly traditional!

Child of the 80s here. Lars means Lars Ulrich here. Drummer from Metallica. And a bit of a knob.

I have a Lars (5yo). We have never been asked if we have Scandinavian roots - We don't, and just loved the name. The only comments we have ever had was what a great name it is.

It's strong, everyone can pronounce it, it's unusual without being wacky, perfect.

Yay!! Thanks RustyNailbrush!

and Lars Ulrich has never been mentioned either.

Go for it Gingernut, you won't regret it :)

Just asked what a child with the name Lars nickname would be at secondary school and DS replied lard.

I immediately thought raw fish buffet as I have Scandinavian relatives.

You know not every child gets a nickname right? I never did, and actually only knew one person at school that did.

I know they don't all get a nickname but I think it's worth considering, it's also worth considering how someone's initials may be an acronym.

I like it a lot

Yes. Lars and the real girl popped into my head too. All I can think about is sex dolls, sorry OP.

I really like it.

I think that people can be too narrow minded about names tbh.

Why can't you just use a name that you like without having to have som coonction/heritage?

Connection!!

I know 2 small Lars, aged 3 and 4. They are both German, I think. One is usually called Lasse as a nickname.

They say the name differently to me, with my British accent - the s at the end is different and it sounds nicer somehow. But when I try, it just rhymes with "arse" .

I went to university with a Nowegian Lars. He actually became a fisherman after university, despite having studied a vocational and professional qualification. So to me it sounds very stereotypically Scandinavian and would presume there was some link. But if you're not worried about that, go for it.

Sebastian is my favourite of your choices (by quite a long way). Really dislike Rafe.

Well yes obvious ones are worth considering if there's a valid reason, like if I had a DD and was thinking about Flora and people kept saying 'Nooo, margarine!' but really, Lard that's reaching isn't it? Only on MN.

IME most nicknames, particularly male ones, come from their surnames. So Sinclair becomes Sinky for example.

OP I also love Sebastian and Soren. Great names that I don't think people would bat an eyelid at.

I grew up in Scandinavia so have known a fair few Lars' I love the name and I have never met one who wasnt just utterly lovely.

It is one of the few I think actually can be used in English as it is said similar.

I have a strong bias and LOVE it. That said, I think I'd still love it if I wasn't biased. I could never use it, so strongly encourage you to do so instead, OP!

"But when I try it just rhymes with arse"

How strange.

Do cars, bars, mars also rhyme with arse when you say them?

It always reminds me of Lars Porsena of Clusium. I think without Scandi links, it's not great.

I really like it. Also like Larn.