Which of the two do you prefer and why?
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] feels more earthy and mature, [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is more whimsical and ethereal. I’m torn between the two.
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]… It looks more complex than [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] and (you may not like this answer), I was a huge [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls fan.
Aside from the fandom, just name wise I do prefer complexity.
As a teenager I wanted to name my child [name_f]Lorraine[/name_f] but I hated the ‘e’ on the end and liked the ‘au’ better so I thought about butchering the spelling to Laurain. ugh
[name_m]Both[/name_m] are nice, but I prefer [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], because:
a) I like [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Opal[/name_f], and that ends-in-l sound.
b) I like nature names, as you can see from my two examples above, too.
c) It’s simpler to spell and I always brain-blank on whether it’s [name_f]Lorelai[/name_f] or [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]
But [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] has the mermaid myth, which is interesting, and doesn’t have “resting on your laurels” so there’s that.
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f].
I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] (the plant) it’s gorgeous so I have that association. Plus I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is more usable in real life.
I prefer [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. It has a more earthy feel. [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is still very associated with [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls (at least to me). I like the sound that [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] has, and I especially like that it sounds more unique, while still being a legitimate name.
I prefer [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] just based off sound, but I like both.
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f], but barely. They’re both beautiful, but I agree with your assessment that [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is earthy and mature, while [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is ethereal whimsy, and I prefer names with some magic. [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is just crashing with magic. It’s one of those names I may just fall madly in love with and use for a daughter someday. Besides, if you truly can’t decide, just have a [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] who gets called [name_f]Lorel[/name_f]/[name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. 
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] isnt special enough for me, too close to [name_f]Lauren[/name_f]
could always try [name_f]Laurelei[/name_f] to mix the earthy nature (which i do like) and spice it up a bit
For the longest time, I thought [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] was pronounced with a -lay ending and fell in love with it. Now that I know that the ending is pronounced -lie, it’s not as attractive to me. I guess I’ll go with [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], even though I don’t prefer it either.
I adore [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] (currently one of my top three girls names).
I wouldn’t mess with the spelling of it unless you want to go with the original Loreley instead.
It differentiates it from GG and refers more directly to the Rhein-sirens.
(PP’s suggestion of [name_f]Laurelei[/name_f] just feels messy to me. Adding in the [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] connection - sort of messes with the meaning of both to me. Neither really shines through as it battle the other for dominance).
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f].
I’d never even heard of [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] before NB and I can’t get my head around the pronunciation. And it does look a bit made up to me. I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] has a much nicer sound to it and… I can’t really describe it! It just looks and sounds better [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. It’s beautiful and earthy like you said, it’s got the Arthurian connection (niece of Lyonesse & [name_f]Lynette[/name_f], wife of Agravain) and connection to the ancient Romans and Greeks.
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is gorgeous too though… I think of the sirens and [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] [name_m]Rock[/name_m] in the Rhine…
I adore [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. It’s got an elegance to it in its simplicity. [name_u]Bay[/name_u] laurel trees are bursting with significance, and it’s just a lovely name for girl or woman.
I prefer [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. It just sounds so light and airy, yet familiar. I have nothing against [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f], but [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] wins in my opinion.
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is so beautiful, but [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]… I just can’t see it on an actual person. Despite [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls. Which I loved. [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] has some adorable nns–[name_f]Lola[/name_f], [name_f]Lila[/name_f], [name_f]Lora[/name_f], [name_u]Rory[/name_u], etc.–but I tend to prefer [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] immensely.
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is my favourite by far.
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is sweet, wholesome, and earthy in sound. I really do like [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] whereas [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] feels like a name for a complicated pasta dish.
[name_m]Both[/name_m] are pretty, but I prefer [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]. You could always use [name_f]Lorel[/name_f] ([name_f]Laurel[/name_f]) as a nickname for [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] and then you kind of get to use both.
I prefer [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. It has a much nicer meaning.
They are both lovely, but my favorite is [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]. It is in my top ten for girls. It has a very feminine, frilly, fun and flowery image [name_f]IMO[/name_f]. [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is a bit more serious.
I prefer [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], because to me [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] seems too frilly and girly.