I do like
Laurel well enough, however, it doesn't roll off my tongue easily at all. That's the main reason I've never considered it as a fn. As a mn, yes; I could definitely see myself using
Laurel as a mn.
Moving on, I do think
Laurel might be confused for
Laura and
Lauren if the hearer didn't pay close enough attention to what is being said, but if you love the name enough, then I say use it. It's not a common name in my world. I've only known one (
Laurel Ann).
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." --
Martin Luther King, Jr.