Laurence- Laurie or Larry

[Threeleafclover]

Hi all,

I love the name Laurence with the nickname Laurie but I'm really not a fan of the nickname Larry. Do you think if we use Laurie (pronounced like lorry) then people would follow suit and use Laurie or do you think we'll always end up with some people shortening it to Larry, especially when he's at school?

And I suppose generally do you think it's a mistake to use a name if you have a strong dislike of a common nickname of this name?

Thanks!

I like Laurence nn Laurie too. I wouldn't automatically shortened to Larry at all.

I've only ever known two Lawrence's/ Lawrence's. One always went by Lawrence and the other was Laurie

Nick names are often nothing to do with the person's name, anyway.

In terms of shortenings, most people will follow your lead, but there are always some that get in their mind that - in your example - Laurences are usually called Larry. So it depends how much you hate it.

2 of my dc are called shortened versions of their full names that are not the shortening I was expecting to use.

I would always assume Laurence would be Laurie and not Larry! I definitely wouldn’t call someone Larry if they went by Laurie.

I know a Lawrence who is known as Loz, how would you feel about that?

Thanks, that's all really helpful!

No strong feelings about Loz, it wouldn't bother me as a shortening. I'm not sure why I dislike Larry so much, I've just taken against it!

I know a young Laurie who simply won't answer to Larry.

I'm never sure whether to pronounce Laurie as law-ree or lorry.

law-ree is probably more Little Women.

I have a Lawrence and ever since he was able to speak he has proudly told everyone that's his name and he doesn't accept anything else. He does have a nickname that is unrelated to his name that is used by the family but the wrath of a small boy is unleashed on anyone outside the family who doesn't call him Lawrence!

Just call him Laurence if that's his name 🙄

I’ve never heard Larry be used as a nn for Lawrence, so I wouldn’t worry about that.

Laurence Olivier was Larry to his nearest and dearest.

I think it's a lovely name and I think Laurie is the only likely shortening.

@MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake its hardly a modern day reference though is it. No one uses Larry any more so it’s very unlikely anyone is going to use it for a small child. I didn’t think I had to be clearer but I’ll rephrase for you; I’ve never personally known a living Lawrence to have the nn Larry.

Go outside, Fill your lungs with fresh air. It might improve your waspish mood.

Imagine getting so agitated over something so innocuous.

I wouldn't assume Larry as a nickname. I think that Law is the most likely shortening followed by Lozza or Loz.

@MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake imagine having to make a completely irrelevant comment. My comment obviously bothered you enough to comment on it so I clarified for you. Hope it helps you move on with your day.

if camomile tea doesn't help maybe speak to your doctor about valium.

Best of luck,

And I suppose generally do you think it's a mistake to use a name if you have a strong dislike of a common nickname of this name?

Yes. My sister knew a Rebecca, who hated the full version and always went by Becky at school. But call her house and ask to speak to Becky and her mums response was "there isn't anyone called Becky here, did you want to speak to Rebecca" - tiresome for everyone.

my friend has a Laurie- he's just always been known as that and I don't think anyone would ever think of calling him Laurence, even though I think that's technically his name on the BC

Ahem, sorry, and to your point, I don't think anyone would think of calling him Larry either!

Laurence?

Not for me

I LOVE Laurence nn Laurie. Only people who would automatically go to Larry are the boomers generation I think. Most would go to Laurie. I hate the spelling Lawrence (which is a surname IMO); this thread only serves to remind me why we have removed it from our boys list 😞

I don't think mast people would go to Larry from Laurence, never heard that before. I think Laurie would be more natural, it makes me think of Little Women. Really lovely

My name is Laurie (pronounced Law-ree) I annoyingly get called "lorry" all the time so personally I hate it as I was often the butt of 'red lorry yellow lorry jokes', as well as Van, truck etc. Just something to keep in mind. Laurence is a nice name on its own IMO!

Thanks all, very helpful and reassuring that Larry isn't widely used anymore.

We would intend to mainly use the full name Laurence but I think names usually end up being shortened, mine is and I don't think the shortening is particularly nice so it's something I think about when choosing a name.