Laurence nn Lars

[Endoftetherweather]

We like this name for a boy, despite being slightly put off by despicable rent-an-outrage Laurence Fox.

We really like the nn Lars, rather than Loz or Laurie. Does it feel a bit too contrived? We’re in NW England with no links to Scandinavia.

Other contenders are Rafael (but we’re very much English) and Gabriel (we’re in no way religious). Not easy this naming malachy!!

I think it will be impossible to avoid Loz, sorry. I love Gabriel.

I never knew Lars was short for Laurence, just thought of it as a stand alone scandi name, is that a thing?

Too contrived imo, it’s not even the same vowel sound. Just go with Laurence and call him the full name (I know two who go by the full name and one who goes by Laurie). No one will think about Laurence Fox unless your surname is also Fox!

Lars is great go for it. Our Gabriel is 17 and 6'2. He is always getting compliments on his name, its used internationally as well and so was great when we did a couple of international relocations.

I would probably assume you’re European with a name like Lars, very popular in Sweden. I wouldn’t be put off by Laurence Fox, but do prefer the nn Laurie..

Although I thought the obvious nn for Laurence is Larry rather than Loz.

I knew one who was called Lar for short (UK family) - I quite like it. Occasionally people misheard and called him Lars, he was happy with either.

My father is a Laurence but yes he gets called Larry, never Loz.

I never understand the weight nicknames are given on MN. If you want a child called Lars, call him Lars, surely?

Lars is a completely separate name. If you want him to be called that, just call him that. Or if you want Laurence, call him Laurence.

I have to admit to not really understanding this planning of shortenings (not really 'nicknames'). Surely they evolve organically?

I would just call him Lars if you like Lars. Although I like Larry, Laurie or just Laurence.

Loz is horrendous, like Barry shortened to Baz.

I don't see an issue with Lars. I knew a Lara who got Lars! Didn't seem weird at the time.

Our son is Laurie, sometimes known as Loz. He (aged nearly 40 now) says we gave him a girl’s name 🤦🏻‍♀️ I still love the name.

My ds1 friend is called Lawrence. He doesn't shorten it. If you like Gabriel, what about Malachi?

It's not what you will nickname said child you need to think about, it's what you can live with their peers nning them.
Laurence will become "Laurie" and Gabriel will become " Gabe"
Both lovely names IMO.. but can you handle the nicknames?

I like Laurence and Gabriel.

While you can control the NN at home and use Lars, once they go off to school, the NN flies free, so Lars may well be abandoned. The Laurences I know get Lol and Lollie for their NN.
If you are looking for a European vibe, have you considered Lorenzo with Enzo as a NN?

If you are wavering over Gabriel, what about Giles, a similar vibe with no Archangel overtones?

Have you watched night in the museum op?

I do agree with @Alchemistress , if you love Lars just use it as a first name. There are so many more unusual names these days. 17 years ago Gabriel wasn't being used as much as it is now, especially in the UK but that didn't stop us from using it. Same for our other kids names that are coming into vogue 20 years later! But it's good timing as it means your teens and young adults have names "of the moment" 😂

Laurence is ok and I agree with you that the nn Lars is better than Loz / Larry / Laurie, but I wouldn’t choose it myself as you can’t control nn’s

Gabriel (nn Gabe) or Rafael (nn Rafe or Raffy) are much nicer imo

Laurence, Lars, both fine choices.
If you really like Lars and plan to call him that day to day why not just use that? It is a full name in its own right.
Do you actually love the name Laurence? Because as others have said, you can instigate a nickname but have no control over what he prefers to shorten that too when older. He may well end up as Liz or Laurie.
If not Laurence, but you still want Lars, could also use Clarence, or Skylar?

Other contenders are Rafael (but we’re very much English)
What about Rafe, or Rafferty?

and Gabriel (we’re in no way religious).

I don't think lack of religion matters for this one. It's very commonly used in many countries/cultures.

I think you could get away with Lars now - much like Otto, Arlo and Luca.

I like Lawrence though and love the Larry nickname.

Know quite a few Gabriels as well - mostly Irish background but not all. I don't think of Gabriel (or Gabrielle) as religious names now.

Love Raphael as well. Is it the f spelling you're more concerned about?

Laurence is lovely. I like Loz too.

Oddly I think of Hugh Laurie rather than Laurence Fox when I hear the names "Laurence" or "Laurie".

Probably because "House" was such a good series.

Why not just call him Lars? It is a name in its own right and not a natural shortening of Laurence.

I disagree with the idea that parents have no control at all over what a child is known as. Of course you can choose, in the sense that if you put Edward on your son's birth certificate but always call him Ned, introduce him to everyone as Ned and tell his schools that he is known as Ned, everyone will call him Ned. They won't shorten Edward in different ways, even though that name may be on his birth certificate, though of course they may well make up nicknames from Ned.

I actually know three Laurence's known as Lars. It's lovely .

I've never heard Laurence shortened to Lars. To me Lars is a name, possibly Scandinavian.