I know a
Laurent in passing too, and he hangs out with mostly English people (He's french-Canadian) and nobody has trouble with his name. We say it a little flatter than we should I'm sure, but we do pretty good. I've never met anyone who calls him "Lorrent" or anything - but then I don't know him very well.
I love
Lauritz but I could see myself using
Laurent more easily for sure. It's more "me" - more romantic rather than edgy.