Lyla, Lorna or Lara?

[soulandwine]

I'm stuck having a massive dither between the girl names Lyla, Lorna and Lara. I know that I definitely want a name beginning with L, and this is my shortlist. My pros and cons for each name are as follows:

Lyla - I love the fact that it's so pretty and feminine, and easy to pronounce. I love the spelling. Slightly worried, however, that it's becoming too popular and perhaps sounds too 'little girly' and lacks punch.

Lorna - Really unusual these days, which is great. I love that it sounds strong and assertive. On the cons side, concerned that it sounds a little harsh, not pretty enough and is dated?

Lara - Once again, love how strong this name sounds. Short and pretty. Relatively rare. For the cons, I don't like the fact that it rhymes with so many other names - Cara, Zara, Sara (I don't like any of these names and have bad associations).

Which name gets your vote? I'd really appreciate any thoughts or opinions. I'm open to other name suggestions, although I've spent a very long time getting down to this list.

Thanks in advance!

I love Lara, it’s very pretty and classic and at least where I live not very common.

I’m not keen on the other two, but Lara is gorgeous. I like Lyra as well but would definitely go with Lara over Lyla or Lorna.

Lara

I love Lyla. Also like Lyra as suggested by a pp. Lara/Lorna is a bit dated so I’d think more a 40 year old woman than a new baby!!

I'm a Lorna and don't feel it's outdated or not pretty enough. What I feel it makes me is feel quite unique.

I'm a Lorna and I get "laura" and "Lauren" and the attempts at spelling are always amusing . Most notable "Larwna"

Having said that, I like that my name is unusual. I've never known many others.

I am in my 40s though, which is definitely NOT old and dated. I lived through the 90s, I'm practically a teenager! 😉

@notyourdawg hi Lorna yes I one what you mean. I have lost count how many times I have been called Laura! Great to see there is other Lorna's out there! Btw I'm nearly 51.

I like Lyla and Lorna best.

My dear friend is a Lara, so that gets my vote!

I know a lovely lady called Lorna. She's certainly very modern.

Lorna is a beautiful name. It's never been popular enough to be classed as 'dated', whereas similar names like Laura and Lauren are definitely linked to a particular era.

Thanks for the replies so far everyone! This is such a huge help.

@lorn195 you're right on Lorna, I have a tendency to overthink things! Lorna runs in my family; it is my mother's middle name.

As for the Lyra suggestions, this is name I have really love and have considered but it really does just make me think of the Phillip Pullman character and the recent BBC drama (love the character and the dramatisation, but the association is strong)! Also, find Lyra a little bit of a tongue twister - it doesn't flow for me, anyway.

Lara

Lara

Lorna would be my pick by far.
Lyla is just bland and forgettable.
Lara is better but still too bland. I like it as short for Larissa, in which case it’s a lot stronger.
I prefer Laura to both Lyla and Lara.

Prefer Lorna, then Lara.
All three are nice names, good luck!

Lorna is lovely. I don't like Lyla at all, reminds me of Lilo. Not keen on Laura.

Lara

I'm a Laura and often get called Lorna which drives me mad. Also don't like Lara but not sure why.

I know you said you'd welcome other suggestions and I'm sure you've already thought of them but what about:

Leah
Layla
Lucy
Lola
Lana
Lydia

I really like Lara. I have 2 girls with 2 syllable L names too

throwing Lila in

and Lana

Lara out of these!

If I have a dd they will have a L name

Lara and Lyra are SO lovely

I know 2 lorna's and sorry to say I've really never liked the sound of their name. It sounds sad or dreary somehow. Maybe because it rhymes with mourner? Also sounds like lawn. Nah not for me.

Lyla..my baby name id my DS was a girl! X