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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Whatever happened to Laura?

91 replies

SharpieHarpie · 06/10/2021 22:11

I am a mid 30s Laura, and I never hear the name used for children, babies or even anyone under 30. It was SO popular when I was at school, I hated it! There were at least 2-3 Lauras in every class from reception to 6th form, all differentiated by our surname initials. However as I got older it seemed to die out super abruptly in a way that Charlotte, Claire etc (probably as popular in the mid 80s?) never did. And as I’ve got older I like it more and more as it’s kind of unusual now.

So, would you consider Laura as a name for your daughter? If so why/why not? Are you a Laura, do you have a Laura, or know a baby Laura? I’d love to hear.

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ParadiseLaundry · 07/10/2021 18:58

Laura is a really beautiful name and doesn't sound dated really.

Also love Lauren, which still sounds very fresh to my ears.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 07/10/2021 17:30

As soon as I hear the name Laura, the tune of ‘Tell Laura I love her’ starts up in my brain.

mogtheexcellent · 07/10/2021 17:27

Was on my list but we went for Emma instead because its easier to spell. (Stupid long foreign surname).

Appleseesaw · 07/10/2021 17:22

I know of an 8 year old Laura and a 2 year old Laura. I assumed it stopped being used due to overuse. It seemed to every other girl’s middle name at some point.

whatagloriousthingtobe · 07/10/2021 17:20

I'm a Lauren, I used to hate it because there wasn't any others, I always wanted to be called Laura.

Skysblue · 07/10/2021 17:19

Most names go in cycles because parents try to choose something that isn’t super common for their child. Some names never get extremely popular and so never quite go out of fashion either.

Eg a grandparent who’s just died probably had a name that’s just about to come back into fashion. So my grandparents generation had loads of Frankie, Ada, Albert, Ivy, Florence, Oscar etc and now lots of young children have those names.

Laura will be back as a baby name in 30-50 years ;)

lifecoachingandotherbollocks · 07/10/2021 17:06

I know a 12 year old Laura.

Chakraleaf · 07/10/2021 17:04

I know a younger Lauren but no Laura's.

HuckleberryJam · 07/10/2021 17:02

I prefer it to Lauren which is a younger name

HadEnoughOfBears · 07/10/2021 16:13

@ForTheLoveOfSleep

I'm a Laura. 33 years old. My mum chose it because of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I love my name and am the only Laura I know 😁
My daughter is called Laura for exactly the same reason!
HadEnoughOfBears · 07/10/2021 16:11

@mum2jakie

I think Claire has died out as well though. I don't know any Claires under 35?
I know an 11yr old Claire

And a 17yr old Laura

Heh1991 · 07/10/2021 15:13

I know a few Laura’s of my age (29/30) but no babies/little girls which is a shame as I love Laura.

Oddly enough though, I know of 4 baby boys called Laurie who have been born this year so may or Laura will increase in popularity! I hope so x

JennetHumfrye · 07/10/2021 13:01

It's a nice enough name but reminds me of a horrible bully at my first job that made my life hell. It's kind of ruined the name for me which I know is irrational.

LaBellina · 07/10/2021 12:40

Laura is beautiful. I wonder if it’s still popular in Italy, it’s country of origin where generally people still love and use traditional names for their children.

TheWholeWorld · 07/10/2021 12:37

41 year old Laura checking in 👍

I was at school with one other and have come across one or two others since. Agree it's a name that works in a lot of languages which is sometimes helpful on holidays and such

I quite like it as a name and if it wasn't mine I would definitely consider giving it to a dd. My middle name is Claire which is also getting a lot of love on this thread which is nice, I always thought Claire was quite a boring name Blush

B0G0F · 07/10/2021 12:26

I know a few Lauras who are older than 50. Classic name.

Lauren is a name that looks pretty but doesn't sound nice. Lorrun. Yuk

Lara is nice but seems to be weaker than Laura.

coronabeer · 07/10/2021 12:24

I think it's a nice name and it's one I would consider in the (extremely unlikely) event I were to have another child.

Never liked the name Lauren, though.

RuthW · 07/10/2021 12:20

It's a dreadful name so glad it's gone.

TheOnlyMrsM · 07/10/2021 11:36

I don't like the name because it reminds me of the only Laura I have ever known and she was really not nice to know as a young woman and adult. It's a shame because I too love the Little House books and might have considered it for one of my DC.

WellTidy · 07/10/2021 11:36

I love Laura, really love it (but not at all keen on Lyra, Lorelei or other names that others like are a bit Laura-esque)

No Lauras in my year at school (I was born in the mid 70s) - absolutely loads of Joannes, Claire/Clares, Sarahs and Welsh names like Sian and Rhian (born in Wales)

BadPlaceJanet · 07/10/2021 11:18

I always loved Laura because of the Little House books. I had the whole series as a kid and was obsessed with them.

There was a little Laura in my dd's toddler group - she'd be about 16-17 now.

HuckleberryJam · 07/10/2021 11:18

I like Clare too

HuckleberryJam · 07/10/2021 11:17

I really like it

Taxwolf · 07/10/2021 11:14

I love the name. I would have used it for DD1 (25) but one of my in laws in called Laura (in her 60s). I never met another one in real life.

AnotherLauraLou · 07/10/2021 11:01

I’m a 40 year old Laura! There was only one other in my school.

There is a Laura in my DS’s school who must be about 6/7.

Agree it’s nice to hear it amongst the sea of Isla/Ava/Evie’s.

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