Why does no-one seem to use the name Laura anymore?

[KBwan]

Am due DC3 on Sunday, and think Laura is a lovely name if it turns out to be a girl (have 2 already, so can't imagine having a baby with a winkle!). I thought I'd check she wouldn't be one of 4 in her class at school, but it didn't even feature in the top 100 last year.
Am I stuck in the eighties thinking this is a nice name?

It's a lovely name, really pretty.

I like the sound of Laura. I also like Caroline for the same reason!

It was on my list for DD. Didn't use it in the end cause it sounded weird with our surname, but I still like it. I think it's pretty without going too far and sounding juvenile.

I also know a fair few Lauras (my age group) and I really like them all. That doesn't happen with many names for me!

Why does nobody use the name Laura anymore? Because it's BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaarrrrrrrrggggghhhh!!!!!!

DD is 6 and has a friend called Laura. I think it is a pretty name.

Anonymous - wonder what your name is?

I can't imagine!

Another Laura here. I was one if one zillion at school and 22 zillion at uni.

I guess kind of like Isabel or Lily nowadays. Nice names, but pretty dull if you're one of them. Saying that, a little Laura now would probably be one of a kind in their class and it is a great, classic name.

i love the name
wanted it for dd1 but husband didn't agree!

Dd (12) is a Laura, there are two others in her year (and they're all in the same class...

She would have been Lara - we were living in Moscow at the time but were put off as Tomb Raider was starting to get big.

Europeans always pronounce it as Low-ra, to rhyme with Cow-ra. Whenever you tell people your name, they always seem to think you've said Nora or Dora or Flora or even Moira instead. You get called Laura the Borer at school. It doesn't have an interesting meaning. It doesn't have any nice nicknames so that you can escape from the sheer monotony of the name your parents have imposed upon you. Heck, it doesn't even have an 'i' or a 'j' in it so you can doodle hearts over your name when you get bored in history lessons!

I do not recommend this name. In case you had not noticed...

I'm a mid (ok late)twenties Laura I never really liked it found it boring but my friends
call me a variety of nicknames instead , people often ring work asking for Maura Orla or Lorna which also really bugs me
Actually I don't think its a bad name I just think it doesn't suit me so I don't state it with confidence hence no one quite picking it up first go

Also its paragraph in the baby name book usually just says 'of the laurels' or male version of Laurence , I wanted something strong they mean nothing-mildly bitter

I hated being called Laura as a child, I thought it was boring and couldn't make any cool nn's from it. I was the only one in my year, there were a few others in the school but not many. Now, I'm the only one I know, I think it is a good name and does not come with any preconceptions. Most people manage to spell it without too much trauma. I could have done worse!
However, I was named after a character in the People's Friend magazine that my mum was reading while in hospital after having me. Somewhat spoils things a little. You do also tend to get drunk older men howling 'Tell Laura I loooooooove her...' at you at weddings, etc. Not good. But they'll die soon.
I think it did get more popular a few years after me, I'm 35. But then Lauren took over, which I think is an awful name.

Do it, you know you want to... Guaranteed to be pretty and nice

Well it isn't totally unused (415 Lauras born last year, ranked 134) but, having said that, I don't know any children named it.

I know about a thousand adults early 20s-mid 30s called Laura but I wouldn't let that put you off using it for a child now, it's a pretty name.

I'm another Laura born in the 70s, but

Oops

but I never knew many growing up, so I'm surprised at all the comments saying there are zillions. I've always liked it; it's elegant without being frilly and is classic enough to be easily pronounced and understood in most languages. It's served me well.

Oh and I was named after my Dad's great auntie Laura who was a mill owner's daughter who ran off with a pig farmer. I like that.

Thanks everyone - a fairly comprehensive list of pros and cons! Having read all your responses, I still love the name Laura (even if it does veer towards the boring).
As it took us 6 weeks to come up with 'Kate' for our second DD, I'm hoping to avoid the long and arduous decision making process of lists, rankings, vetos etc we went through last time (we know how to have a good time).
Now, having got that settled, let's hope it's not a boy...

It is a lovely classic name that isn't overused at the moment.

The reason many of use the same names (Evie, Ella, Sophie, Isabella etc) is that we are influenced by fashion, consciously or unconsciously. Such trendy names, however, will fall out of fashion again and start to sound dated.

Laura, on the other hand, will not sound like a typical 2012 name and your daughter will grow up without having to add her initial to everything . Great choice!

KBwan - I'm expecting a girl in a week or so and she will almost certainly be Laura. Partly after a much loved Aunt but also because we can't find any other name that seems to 'fit' so well despite doing extensive lists (I'm an obsessive researcher when it comes to buying even small electrical items, never mind a name for a baby).

I have a very unusual name in this country with a difficult spelling (Irish) but apart from a short period in my early teens when I wanted to be called Kimberley I'm glad it's my name. My son has a fairly unusual name, so I think people may be surprised when we announce Laura, but I just think it's lovely and popularity or otherwise doesn't really bother me.

So I think you've made a great choice!