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No, I would hate it for a boy. Definitely a girl name only imo.

I don't like it.

I think it could absolutely not work on a boy in real life. That being said, there is something charming about it as a GP, perhaps because I'm keen on Laurie for a boy (like the character in Little Women) and Laurel is similar.

Just thinking of it as a first name, and not as a surname transferred to first name use, I think it has a lilting sound that is somehow not suited to a man. Yes, it's conditioning. But I wouldn't wanna be a guy named Laurel.

My gut reaction is "no way!" but that could be my love of Laurel for girls talking. Hmmm.

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Okay, it is a botanical name, it's not that dissimilar to Loren and Laurence, and it has made a few appearances on the boys' charts, so apparently it wasn't unheard of for a boy at one time. I give it a "maybe, leaning toward no."

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As in Laurel & Hardy?

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I guess it could work. Maybe.

no

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And it doesn't really work in fiction either except as some kind of running gag.

I think Laurel is too feminine.

Hmmm, interesting. That's one name I never would have thought of as unisex, though in theory there's no reason it can't be. Might cause some confusion, even if he goes by Laurie. I wonder if a more unorthodox spelling like Lorrel or something would help or further hinder it.