Laura vs Nicole
Laura and Nicole compared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2002, Laura was ranked #32 and Nicole #94 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2006, Laura was ranked #67 and Nicole #84 among girls in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Laura was ranked #112 and Nicole #381 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Laura was ranked #141 and Nicole #448 among girls in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Laura was ranked #253 and Nicole #407 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Laura was ranked #303 and Nicole #412 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Laura was ranked #351 and Nicole #638 among girls in Scotland.
Laura and Nicole over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Laura and Nicole over time
Laura and Nicole appear together in 6 published lists, across 232 years of shared records. Laura held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Nicole in 2.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Nicole reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, Laura in 2. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1991, Laura moved ahead of Nicole in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #11 and #10 the year before became #12 and #13.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Laura and Nicole changed places 7 times in New Zealand · Girls between 1978 and 2006, ending at #67 and #84.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Girls, Laura and Nicole averaged 37.3 places apart, ending at #303 and #412.
- Longest-running competitions
Laura and Nicole were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #303 and #412.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Laura #17 in 1996, Nicole #36 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls62 shared years, 1964–2025
Laura held the stronger position in 62 of those years, Nicole in 0.
Highest recorded here: Laura #2 in 1985, Nicole #15 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Laura #112, Nicole #381.
Norway · Girls57 shared years, 1969–2025
Laura held the stronger position in 54 of those years, Nicole in 3.
Highest recorded here: Laura #99 in 2024, Nicole #205 in 2003.
The order changed in 1972: Laura moved ahead. In 1971 they stood at #358 and #325; by 1972 that had become #351 and #482.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Laura #141, Nicole #448.
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Laura held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Nicole in 13.
Highest recorded here: Laura #17 in 1996, Nicole #36 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Laura #303, Nicole #412.
New Zealand · Girls29 shared years, 1978–2006
Laura held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Nicole in 14.
Highest recorded here: Laura #8 in 1995, Nicole #5 in 1987.
The order changed in 2006: Laura moved ahead. In 2005 they stood at #69 and #63; by 2006 that had become #67 and #84.
Most recent shared year, 2006: Laura #67, Nicole #84.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls27 shared years, 1976–2002
Laura held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Nicole in 15.
Highest recorded here: Laura #9 in 1994, Nicole #3 in 1977.
The order changed in 1991: Laura moved ahead. In 1990 they stood at #11 and #10; by 1991 that had become #12 and #13.
Most recent shared year, 2002: Laura #32, Nicole #94.
Northern Ireland · Girls27 shared years, 1997–2024
Laura held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Nicole in 15.
Highest recorded here: Laura #13 in 1997, Nicole #14 in 1998.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Laura #253, Nicole #407.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Laura
Pairs where Laura shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Laura vs Shannon
In 1996 they stood at #17 and #11 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #303 and #2138.
Laura · Shannon · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Laura vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #131 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 4 places apart; by 2015 they were #48 and #896.
Laura · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Laura vs Anita
In 1964 they stood at #131 and #130 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2022 they were #91 and #905.
Laura · Anita · 53 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Laura vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #17 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #303 and #816.
Laura · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Nicole
Pairs where Nicole shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Nicole vs Jodie
In 1996 they stood at #36 and #43 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #412 and #3035.
Nicole · Jodie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicole vs Natasha
In 1996 they stood at #36 and #33 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #412 and #1362.
Nicole · Natasha · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nicole vs Chelsea
In 1996 they stood at #36 and #34 in England and Wales · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #412 and #983.
Nicole · Chelsea · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Aoife vs Nicole
In 1997 they stood at #17 and #16 in Northern Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2024 they were #4 and #407.
Aoife · Nicole · 27 shared years, 1997–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — closest over the longest run.
- Daniel vs Samuel
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Daniel and Samuel averaged 2.6 places apart, ending at #62 and #66.
Daniel · Samuel · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Samuel vs Joseph
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Samuel and Joseph averaged 3.5 places apart, ending at #66 and #59.
Samuel · Joseph · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Closest over the longest run
- Graeme vs Ross
Across 21 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Graeme and Ross averaged 3.7 places apart, ending at #96 and #99.
Graeme · Ross · 21 shared years, 1952–1972 · Closest over the longest run
- Thomas vs Patrick
Across 62 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Thomas and Patrick averaged 3.9 places apart, ending at #16 and #25.
Thomas · Patrick · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · Closest over the longest run
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 2000s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2000 and 2009.
- Grace vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #4867.
Grace · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ella vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #56 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #46 and #4867.
Ella · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jasmine vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #102 and #4867.
Jasmine · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #47 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #142 and #4867.
Anna · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Laura | Nicole |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | From Latin 'laurus' meaning 'laurel' — laurel wreaths honoured victors in ancient Rome. Also the subject of 14th-century Italian poet Petrarch's poems. | The French feminine form of Nicholas, from the Greek elements 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). |
| Origin | Latin | Greek, via French transmission |
| Pronunciation | /ˈlɔɹ.ə/ | /nɪ.ˈkoʊl/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Girls #112 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #381 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Laura is recorded with a Latin origin, while Nicole is recorded with a Greek, via French transmission origin.
- Laura has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Nicole.
- Laura's recorded meaning differs from Nicole's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Laura
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #313 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1985 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #303 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Nicole
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #91 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2002
Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1975 (recorded 1964–2002).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #412 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls