Why did this name surprise us all so much.....

[Clawdy]

One of my friends had a baby girl this week. She had talked about names and was thinking of Athena or Elena. Her MIL arrived at toddler group and announced baby will be....Nicola. Everyone looked amazed. Isn't it very dated? anyone know a Nicola under the age of 22?

My oldest friend is called Nicola too, so I love it , as she is such a lovely person and suits her name. Most people call her Nicky but I think Nicola is really pretty.

I know a 15 year old called Nicola, she loves her name

my SIL is Nicola, she is 41 and it suits her. BUT an unusual but nice name for a child. There is a Lisa in DS1's class and she is 5. But it really suits her. Plus her mum is Swedish which gives it a certain je ne sais summit

I know lots of lovely Nicolas but I do think it is dated.

It's a bit like the dd in Outnumbered being called Karen. It just does not go with Ben and Jake.....she should be a Ruby or a Molly.

IMVHO.

I'm actually longing for a return of names like this, Pamela, Jane, Janet, Angela, Julia, etc.

What's happened to Samantha, Victoria, Helen, carol and Claire?

We had loads of those on my year at school. They're also out of vogue ATM, but equally as nice as Nicola IMO.

I know a 12yo Nicola. Apart from her, the others are all adults.

Tell you what, though, I know a 13yo Deborah. You don't see many children called that, do you?

LOL at the names. I actually know a class in a school that has an Angela, Nicola, Donna, Lily, Ruby, Poppy, Evie and Millie as all described here.

Guess who's the staff and who's the current pupils?

I do like Nicola though, my brother is Nicholas (Nick) but is over 22!

It has it's own charm!

I so agree about Karen in outnumbered though, it always annoys me that she would so obviously be called Sophie or lily or Molly with brothers called Ben and jake! Who calls their child Karen now?

I know an eight year old Karen!

Karen, Nicola, Joanne, Jane...........meh!

Nothing wrong with any of them but Karen and Nicola are just ........meh!

SnozzleMaid - I have the same issue. My name is a popular one, lets say Victoria. Everyone calls me Vicky without me ever asking them to! I have actually asked DP to start calling me Victoria and he is which is weird as we are getting used to it.

I now only introduce myself as "Victoria" as I much prefer it. I think lots of people will always call me "Vicky" but I am trying to reduce it a bit without getting weird about it! My close family have always called me "Victoria" which helps. It is annoying when people shorten it without asking though!

I really like Nicola. My friend has that name. The only time she's ever had problems is with Italians and Spaniards who think she is a boy.

Viv - there is one variant of my real name that could be used as an affectionate term which is very childlike so I am not keen on it but only one person uses it so I let it go. Think Vic-Vic rather than Vic. The full version of my name is ok, just the abbreviated version is so boring IMO. I wish I could change it completely as I have never felt it suited me.

Yes Ripishere! My childhood holidays in France were blighted by people telling me I had a boy's name :o

There are definitley worse names though I dont know any Nicola's under 32 never mind 22!

I much prefer Nicole. And do like Nicholas for a boy!

I know a male Nikola - he is Serbian.

Nicola does remind me of the 1970's though.

I went to school with so many Nickys, Mandys, Traceys, Julies, Debbies, Sharons, Lorraines and Joannes that I cannot escape the association.

I find it ugly and clunky.

I'm 32 Postive :o

*Positive, sorry....

My best friend is called Nicola and she is 23. I'm 26 and was in school with several but I quite like it. Dont know many younger Nicolas though so you may be right.