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!

How is Lorna supposed to be pronounced?

As it looks Lorna = Lor (Lawr) nah. Mourner - Mow - to rhyme with Row so Mowrn err.

@Downton57 Thanks. I'm sat here trying to pronounce it differently but just can't seem to, which is a bit crazy!

Like Lara.
Don’t like spelling of Lyla but know a few Lilas.
Lorna sounds a bit dated to me. Laura less so.

Lyla or Lara. I knew a Lorna once who was a bit of a drip so I dislike the name

@WaxOnFeckOff That's confusing! No part of the word mourner should rhyme with Row as far as I'm concerned 😂

I like Lorna

Always loved Lara. Lyla is ok (prefer Lila). Strongly dislike Lorna.

To me it’s Lor-ner which rhymes with mor-ner so I’m very confused how either name would be said differently.

Lara by a mile.

Because an 'ah' sound isn't the same as an 'er' sound. Say ah...

Sorry there is no part of 'mourner' that rhymes with 'row'. Not where I come from. Or where I live....or anywhere else that springs to mind tbh.

Love both Lyla and Lara. If I had to choice I'd go with Lyla though. Not keen on Lorna, but in my area it's a bit chavvy, sorry!

Anyway, it's a nice enough name when it's pronounced properly. Invented by the author RD Blackmore, the author of Lorna Doone apparently, from Lorne, Scottish place name and sausage.

What about Lydia?

My sister is a Lorna and it definitely rhymes with Mourner.

Lana is an anagram of anal. Not good.

Love Lorna and Lara and Lucia (Looseeah)

I've been sat here trying to figure out how else you could pronounce lorna /mourner without them rhyming or mourner with a sound rhyming with row... It just doesn't work
Anyway I love the name lorna, pretty and underused and definitely not dated, my favourite

The pronunciation is to do with rhotic and non rhotic accent, so in a sense no one is correct or incorrect for most things. However, with names, you can go telling people from the country that the name originates that they pronounce it wrong. We pronounce Lorna correctly, you can pronounce it however it goes in your accent, but cut out telling Scots they don't pronounce it correctly.

Thanks everyone!

I've been keeping a tally - seems that Lorna is an either 'love it or hate it' name.

I'm reconsidering Lyra again as an option too.

I’m a Lorna and am very surprised people consider it frumpy and old fashioned! I very much like the standing on the rocks looking out to sea being mistress of all she surveys in waxons version tho! I think because I have read the novel that’s how I associate the name.

Obviously I forgot to say Lorna gets my vote. I’ve always loved my name and you can’t really mess around with it for playground insults etc. I pronounce it Lawn-uh but do love the Scottish rolling r

Lara (though it's not that uncommon).

Lyla is beautiful definitely my favourite

Lyla!

Lara!

Lyla for me. I really like Laila too.