Nicola, Claire, or Laura

Claire is by far the best.

Laura to me is drab, drab, drab.

Nicola isn't due a comeback.
Clare is a bit nothingy
Both are middle-aged women's names

Laura is a classic and is lovely

I think I'd choose Laura of these three. It seems the most classic to me. And it exists in almost every European language, albeit with pronunciation differences and occasional different forms like Lowri, Laure, Lara. It was hyperpopular in the English-speaking world in the '60s through '80s - of course, along with Laurie, Lori, Lauren, and Laurel - but it somehow doesn't feel particular to that time.

I don’t think they are “due a comeback” because for children born now, the names Claire, Nicola etc belong (in all likelihood) to the generation born a bit before their parents but after their grandparents. They are very Gen X names. Generally the names that come back are the names of great grandparents (people naming their children after their own grandparents or names that were popular when their grandparents were small) hence names like Ivy, Stanley, Arthur etc.

I don’t think all that has to matter if you love the names but I point it out because you said they are due a comeback - so presumably is something you’ve thought about.

I don’t like the name Nicola. Claire was over used amongst the girls a little bit older than me at school (fading out by my year, but used a bit) but objectively, I do think it’s a nice name. Laura is a classic and makes me think of Little House on the Prairie which is a nice thing to think of.

Clare without an I

Laura and Claire were both on my list, We went with Emma in the end which has a similar feel and a large proportion of mumnetters find equally boring

Claire/Clare

In my secondary class in the 90s there were 2 of each! They are all nice names I think.

I like Laura, but Lauren always reminds me of Lauren Cooper / Catherine Tate.

This is the strangest question but were you and your sister born in June 1975 by any chance?

What about Rachel, Emma or Sarah?

I adore Laura! It’s on my list too. It’s my favorite of the “plain” names because it means victory, dates back centuries, and has such a romantic, floral “aura” without being frilly. It’s as classic as they come, but it soared in popularity from the 60s to 70s which means it’s well-beloved.

I’m not a fan of Nicole or Claire. They seem less substantive. Laura is lush and flowing and would sound gorgeous being yelled out the kitchen door 🥰 Have you ever seen the movie Laura (1944)? Read the Little House on the Prairie books? Laura could be a glowering empress or a sweet homespun beauty all in one.

Nicola is most definitely my favourite, would use it myself if it wasnt my aunt's name.

In with the poster who said about them being the boring ones in class.
I went to school in the 70s/80s
Lara is nice.

Laura

I don't think you can win with names really. As a child in the 70s with a serviceable name of the same ilk as in this thread - my friends were called Sharon, Kate, Karen, Louise...boys were Stephen, David and Andrew.... I remember we all thought our cousins had totally outlandish names. They were called Jacob, Chloe and Amelia. Unusual for the 70s but extremely common now.

So you may as well name your kids what you like because at some point in a full life those names will come round again.

Laura is classic but to me it just sounds a bit wet.
I think Clare is a beautiful name though and will come back.

I'm afraid they all sound rather dated but not in a vintage way just very 80s.

How about Lara or Clara?

Honestly I didn't realise people hated the name Nicola so much. I used to hate it at school and actually changed it lol but I'm cool with it now. Or so I thought 🥴😂

In answer to OP, I don't like any I think they're all 80s names.

Oh my days I have a dated mum name and an even worse nickname 🤣🤣🤣 good job iv got thick skin

I’ve always felt quite ambivalent about my name, but reading this thread has made me realise I like it.

Nicola. It trips nicely off the tongue, has a nice feminine ending and a tiny touch of rhythm about it.

The shortenings sound friendly too, Nicky or Nic.

I like it, so there!

heyy i love the name Claire! Its my youngest daughters name to! I think its such a lovely, sweet and strong name😊

I went to school with someone with 'Nikki' on her birth certificate and was jealous of her cool name!
These all sound dated and dull (and one of them is my name!)
This thread is a prime example of why we should avoid fad/overly popular names when naming our children IMO. The Ava/Islas etc of today will in 30 years time have a thread where everyone says 'dull/dated/mum name about their name. Everyone always says 'just choose a name you like, those names are popular for a reason'
I'm sure that's what everyone said 40 years ago about Nicola Claire and Laura.