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Baby names

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Original poster

Lucy or Lara?

50 replies

JunebabyT · 11/12/2016 09:45

For years I've had two favourite girls names - Lucy and Lara. Always thought I would name a first DD Lara but now I'm leaning more towards Lucy - which is nicer and what do you think of them both?

Some pros and cons I've been considering below for each...

Lucy:

  • Classic, simple, pretty name that would never cause any confusion
  • Have come up with a perfect full name for this with middle names I love and sounds great with our surname
  • Always loved it because of Narnia!
BUT
  • is it too popular or will people think it's a bit boring?

Lara:

  • Really pretty name I always imagined using
  • Less popular than Lucy, less likely to have 2 in a class
  • Works in lots of different languages and countries
BUT
  • Doesn't sound as good with our surname
  • DP's best friend just had a Clara and my best friend also wants a similar name (though isn't pregnant)

I think we will end up going for Lucy but interested to get opinions as something else to add to the mix, as we aren't telling people our ideas IRL to avoid interference.

Thanks

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NavyandWhite · 11/12/2016 21:02

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SpunkyMummy · 11/12/2016 21:15

I like both.

But I think I might prefer Lucy? Mayyybe?

I also like Lucia... that one is so lovely. And it reminds me of the Swedish Lucia celebrations. Which are really magical.

togetherlikeglue · 11/12/2016 21:38

Never liked Lucy. Adore Lara.

Penhacked · 11/12/2016 21:46

I'm a Lara and love my name. It is so unusual I have only met one other in my whole life (now mid 30s). It is simple in the same way Lucy is, but much less common. I find people remember my name. Although I do find it irritating when they call me Laura as it seems like such a lazy mistake.

ViewBasket · 12/12/2016 11:50

Lucy is a lovely name.

Lara is OK but a bit harder sounding.

Louisa, or Lucia?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 12/12/2016 11:52

Both lovely. I'd go for Lara.

Paddingtonthebear · 12/12/2016 11:55

Lara

Or even better, Lana

Kelsey28 · 12/12/2016 12:48

How about Lucie? That's the name of one of the Mum's in my class and I always like how it looks.

HingleMcCringleberry · 12/12/2016 13:18

Really? No one here going to bring up the ultimate badass, Lara Croft?

OP, both are great names, but for kudos factor, go Lara.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 12/12/2016 13:29

I'd be careful where you live with both of them - I'd hate to end up with a Luce-eh!

Alisvolatpropiis · 12/12/2016 14:23

Lara.

Lucy is a bit of a bland name.

septembersunshine · 12/12/2016 17:47

I have a Lucy. It means 'light' in Latin and we love it! She is the only one in her infaninfant school (about 160 kids) So not that popular. I know a few adult Lucy's and its a beautiful classic. It does have history too. Lara is ok but kind of the Laura of this generation imo.

TheLivingAsheth · 12/12/2016 17:50

They are both beautiful. I only know one child) Lucy and she is Lucinda most of the time.

LoveInTokyo · 12/12/2016 20:16

I know a Lucia who called herself Lucy when she was younger but Lucia now she is grown up. I love it, very elegant.

KlingybunFistelvase · 12/12/2016 21:04

I know a Lucinda who calls herself Lucy. She always has. She's in her early thirties and quite posh (to me). Went to a fancy pants boarding school etc. I quite like Lucinda though. I think I prefer it to Lucia which I don't really like the sound of for some reason.

ViewBasket · 12/12/2016 21:34

I'd be careful where you live with both of them - I'd hate to end up with a Luce-eh!

Perhaps the OP already lives somewhere that Lucy is pronounced this way? It's not wrong, it's northern.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 12/12/2016 21:59

I'm from the north, I just think it's worth thinking about. If you live somewhere where the pronunciation isn't as you'd pronounce it could irritate you every time you heard the name. I have a friend who regrets using Bethan because it just isn't pronounced how she expects it to be. Obviously in this case I don't know how the OP pronounces it.

I'd hate to end up with a 'evver rather than a Heather as well, I'm equally prejudiced against parts of the south Grin

littlepinkmouseofsugar · 13/12/2016 09:59

More girls called Lara than Lucy where we are. By trying to be different sometimes everyone has the same idea so it can backfire! Similarly locally there were tonnes of Amelies and Emilias about 8/9/10 years ago as parents wanted something pretty and bit different.

Lucinda shortened to Lucy is pretty.

choccybiscuit · 14/12/2016 13:09

I prefer Lucy, but I'm biased as dd2 is called that.

Alisvolatpropiis · 14/12/2016 14:35

Lara is outside the top 100 but seems to have small pockets of popularity, in the same sort of way Arlo does for boys.

MrsGsnow18 · 14/12/2016 18:12

I prefer Lara. I think Lucy is nice too but I would say it is more common.

MrsGsnow18 · 14/12/2016 18:13

I feel the need to clarify that by more common I mean more popular before I get accused of being snooty!

AvonCallingBarksdale · 14/12/2016 18:19

I'm a Lucy - it's a lovely name. I've always had lots of name compliments. Please don't spell it with ie at the end though!

MikeUniformMike · 14/12/2016 18:22

Lucy.

Not Lyra, Larissa, Lulu or Lucinda. Just Lucy.

Lara is quite nice too.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 15/12/2016 20:49

Lucy is lovely, I also like Lyra.

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