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!

They only rhyme if you pronounce Lorna as Loarner, which isn't right.
Laurie and and Lyra are pretty names too.

I'm scottish, Lorna, doesn't sound like Lawn or mourner.

Lana is my fave L name for a girl.

@WaxOnFeckOff Thank heavens, I thought i was going mad. Also Scottish.

I’m late 40s. There were lots of Lornas in my peer group in the 70s but it might be returning. In England it’s very Lawna. I expect it sounds lovely with a Scottish or Irish accent.

Lara

I really don't like lyla I love Lara and Lorna is neither here nor there

Lorna (if my DH hadn’t vetoed it...)

I'm actually not sure it's a name I would use if I wasn't Scottish or in Scotland tbh and I'm really not that precious about these things, e.g. I don't feel the same way about Iona or Isla. There are some names that just seem better used in Scotland, Ailsa is another one.

Loni?

Lara...beautiful.

Lorna...nice but a bit harsh.

Lyla...ok ish.

Lara (or Lyra)

Lara. I have one myself. She's 15 and we've met very few other Laras over the years.

Lara.

Lorna- great, unusual, classic
Lara- fine but growing in popularity at the moment will possibly date
Lyla- very current, will date, popular, fits the a trend of Lyra, Lila, Lola etc. Lara being a slightly more classic name that fits this trend.

I’d go for Lorna

Lara for me

Too many Lyla thanks to oasis song

Lorna old fashioned and slightly frumpy

I love Lorna. If I'd had a girl I might've used it.

Lara from your list. Personally really don't like Lorna.
I would say Lyra too as pp has suggested (it's on our list for a girl) .

Lyla. Also love Lydia

I also find Lorna frumpy and a bit harsh

What about Laurel??

Love your name choices! Don’t think they’re outdated at all, if anything they sound fresh these days compared to other baby names.

There is a Laila in my family (pronounced the same as your Lyla) if that could be another option for you?

Other L name suggestions... Lily, Lauren, Laurel, Lorie, Loretta.

Lyla makes me think of the yellow teletubbie. Much prefer Lara or Lorna.
I'm confused about how Lorna and mourner don't rhyme? How is Lorna supposed to be pronounced?

DD1 is Lyra. If it hadn't had clashed with her surname we may have gone for Layla (surname rhymes with sailor).

LOVE Lara

@SecondStarFromTHeRight. Short vowel o doesn't make an oa sound. A isn't r. So it should be Lorrnah. Roll the r.

It maybe doesn't work if you're not Scottish.

Leah is also a nice L name