I couldn't use
Laura, because I was always going to use
Beatrice for family reasons, and it would have been too Italian 101. But I think that, with
Alice,
Helen and
Lucy, it's one of my top favourites.
Laura Gillian is my default; others include
Laura Bryony,
Laura Caroline,
Laura Eve,
Laura Frances,
Laura Joan,
Laura Margaret ...
I don't enjoy either
Lauren or
Laurel, though I slightly prefer
Laurel. I had a
Laureen colleague once, and I thought that was the worst possible variant.