The nameLaura
Laura is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "laurel". The muse of the poet Petrarch, it was a top 10 name in the United States around 1970.
- Girl's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Laura comes from the Latin laurus, "laurel", a symbol of victory and glory.
Origin
Latin. Petrarch's love poems to Laura, written in the 14th century, made the name famous.
History
Laura entered the American top 10 in 1969 and reached the top 20 in England and Wales. Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie, is a famous bearer.
Laura in other languages
Laura is spelled the same in English, Italian, Spanish, German and Polish. The classic French form is Laure, and English also has Lauren.
Nicknames for Laura
The most common nicknames for Laura: Laurie.
Did you know?
- Laura Kenny won five Olympic gold medals in track cycling, a record for a British woman.
- The poet Petrarch made Laura the image of ideal love in his Canzoniere, in the 14th century.
Famous people named Laura
- Laura Ingalls Wilder, writer
- Laura Dern, actress
- Laura Kenny, cyclist
- Laura Bush, First Lady
Popularity of the name Laura
Laura in the United States
Laura was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 174,630 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Laura. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1964. Half of all babies named Laura in the United States were born before 1967, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 852 births a year.
Laura in the United Kingdom
Laura was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 9,589 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Laura. Half of all babies named Laura in the United Kingdom were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 239 births a year on average, against 364 in the five years before.
Laura in Ireland
Laura in France
Laura in Belgium
Laura in Switzerland
Laura in Austria
Laura in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Laura
Names from the same generation as Laura, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Laura? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Laura with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Laura side by side with the name of your choice.
Laura in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Laura mean?
Laura comes from the Latin laurus, "laurel", a symbol of victory and glory.
What is the origin of the name Laura?
Latin. Petrarch's love poems to Laura, written in the 14th century, made the name famous.
Is Laura a girl's or a boy's name?
Laura is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Laura?
In 2024, Laura was the 359th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 868 births.
What are the variants of the name Laura?
Variants and related names of Laura include Laurette and Laurie.
What are good sibling names for Laura?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Veronica, Renee, Rebecca and Christine for a sister, Mark, Patrick, Stephen and Justin for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Laura?
The most common nicknames for Laura are Laurie.
Who are famous people named Laura?
Laura Ingalls Wilder, writer; Laura Dern, actress; Laura Kenny, cyclist; Laura Bush, First Lady.