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Baby names

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

Original poster

Laurie or Toby?

34 replies

twiglet2 · 14/02/2017 14:37

Expecting baby 2 in 6 weeks and really struggling with boys names. We also struggled with my daughter and named her Juno Emily, which really suits her. Having looked online everyone seems to think Laurie (our first choice) is a girls name. Any help would be appreciated!

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MouseMan17 · 14/02/2017 14:39

Toby

Loyly · 14/02/2017 14:39

Laurie

AnnetteKertan · 14/02/2017 14:40

Toby is much favourite. Laurie is fine if used as a diminutive of Laurence

CakeRattleandRoll · 14/02/2017 14:42

I prefer Toby.

marmiteloversunite · 14/02/2017 14:42

I immediately thought of a boy as Laurie. He was a character in my favourite book "Little Women". I love the name and would definitely use it. I like Toby too.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/02/2017 14:43

Toby

AllTheLight · 14/02/2017 14:45

Toby

yikesanotherbooboo · 14/02/2017 14:45

Love Laurie, makes me think of Little Women

marmitecheesetoast · 14/02/2017 14:52

I like Laurie, and wouldn't have thought of it as a girls name rather than boys.

Original poster
twiglet2 · 14/02/2017 14:58

I think maybe Laurie is considered more of a girls name in America? My first thought was of Laurie Lee, who was definitely male. That's the only thing that's making me doubt it. My mum is desperate to call the baby Toby, but we used to have (an admittedly very cool) guinea pig called Toby!

OP posts:
Lindy2 · 14/02/2017 15:16

Laurie short for Laurence. I have a Lauren that I call Laurie too. I think it works equally well as a nn for a boy or girl.
I like Toby too but prefer Laurie.

indigo13 · 14/02/2017 15:27

I know a little boy called Laurie, I like it. Toby is meh

CaipirinhasAllRound · 14/02/2017 16:33

Laurie short for Lawrence, was on our list for our son

Laquila · 14/02/2017 16:35

Both lovely names. I know a little Laurie and AFAIK no-one expects him to be a girl.

Actually it would have been on my boys list but we have a very close relative called Lauren nn Laurie so it wouldn't really have worked.

Sophronia · 14/02/2017 17:17

Definitely Laurie! Not keen on Toby

littlepooch · 14/02/2017 17:19

I actually like both but think Toby just edges it for me.

Chocolatecake12 · 14/02/2017 17:22

Toby
I think it goes really well with Juno

septembersunshine · 14/02/2017 17:52

Laurie is next door to laura for me. Toby!

KlingybunFistelvase · 14/02/2017 18:01

If it's between Laurie on its own and toby, I'd go for Toby, but if Laurie is short for Lawrence I'd go for that.

I love Laurie as a shortening of Lawrence / Laurence, but on its own I would probably think it was a girl's name if I read it on a list of names or something, but that doesn't make it bad. The reason I don't like it on its own is because it sounds a bit nicknamey to me. I don't know why I don't feel the same way about Toby though Confused.

Yika · 14/02/2017 18:03

Laurie does sound like a girl's name to me. Toby is nicer.

Jooni · 14/02/2017 18:18

Laurie is much more interesting. I like both, but I know several Tobys and no Lauries so I think it sits better alongside Juno. We have a Juno too, btw - great choice! Wink

Itsnothingoriginal · 14/02/2017 20:52

I have a ds called Laurie!

It's still quite unusual although I have met several (all male!) Although it is unisex its more commonly used for boys in the UK.

He's in his teens now and loves his name Smile

Mclaren37 · 15/02/2017 05:37

Laurie. Full name Laurence. Toby is a bit wet and reminds me of Toby jugs! I don't understand its new found popularity.

BridgetDarcy · 15/02/2017 07:30

Toby

SuperBeagle · 15/02/2017 07:30

Toby.

Laurie just reminds me of lorries. I only associate it with males because of an obnoxious radio personality where I live, otherwise I wouldn't know whether a Laurie was male or female.