# Lauren Welsch or Lauren Olivia? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756 "2005-05-27T14:18:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/1 "2005-05-27T14:18:40Z")
I know you guys probably hate threads of this type, but my wife and I are having a hard time deciding which of these names to use for the soon to be newest member of the family on or around August 3. First name of Lauren is set. The last name is obviously set. The middle name poses the problem. Welsch is a family name. Olivia is a name both of us like. Which would you choose? What other names would you suggest? FYI, names of our other two children: Cara Ashleigh Peyton Alexander So, is it Lauren Welsch or Lauren Olivia? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/2 "2005-05-27T14:33:24Z")
What’s the last initial? Will L-O-? spell anything weird? (If you’re the Underhill-Thornburys, for instance, stay away from “Olivia.”) ---
**Author:** ![La\_Llorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@La\_Llorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/La_Llorona)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/3 "2005-05-27T14:39:10Z")
Mm, and how many syllables in the last name, if you’re not too uncomfortable with telling us? Lauren Welsch Jones is a lot different from Lauren Welsch Huntington is a lot different from Lauren Olivia Denton. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/4 "2005-05-27T14:50:11Z")
Last initial is “B,” 2 syllables, first syllable gets the accent. We’ve thought about the “LOB” situation, but neither of us think it will be unbearable later. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/5 "2005-05-27T14:57:57Z")
Lauren Olivia. It _sings_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/6 "2005-05-27T15:00:22Z")
Lauren Welsch, Lawrence Welk? I don’t know but my middle name was never a huge deal in my life. (I think) My middle name is Gerard and it comes from St. Gerard, the patron Saint of unborne children. Mom tells me she prayed to St. G while she was preggers with me as she was worried since she was older and promised to name me after him if I was delivered safely. Other wise, it’s never been a big deal. Are you going to have another kid? You may was to save Olivia for that one. ---
**Author:** ![La\_Llorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@La\_Llorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/La_Llorona)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/7 "2005-05-27T15:01:49Z")
For purely euphonic considerations, Lauren Olivia. But if Welsch is really important to you, don’t let me stop you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/8 "2005-05-27T15:36:15Z")
Lauren Olivia! Great names. (Though I may be biased about one of them…) - Daphne ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/9 "2005-05-27T15:36:13Z")
Sorry, I’m making up a last name for you, to help e decide. Lauren Olivia Burton Lauren Welsch Burton I’d go with Olivia too. Not only is it a lovely name, it fits well with your other childrens’ names. But if you have your heart set on Welsch, go for it. (If your daughter can handle CAB, I’m sure LOB won’t be an issue for the little one.) ---
**Author:** ![max\_power](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@max\_power](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/max_power)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/10 "2005-05-27T15:53:28Z")
lauren olivia, laurence olivier. named after the actor, that’s nice. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-welsch-or-lauren-olivia/305756/11 "2005-05-27T17:53:57Z")
I’m partial to Olivia… but Mrs. Butler and I just named our beautiful daughter that 8 weeks ago. Olivia Jean. Got both Nana and Memere’s names in there (Olive and Jeannine)… -Butler