Lars Boy

Popularity: #855 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Lars /lɑːrz/

Origin: Scandinavian; Dutch

Meaning: Scandinavian: 'laurel'; Dutch: 'from Laurentum'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lars is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "laurelled." The Latin term "laurus" refers to the laurel tree, a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name Laurentius was adopted into various languages, evolving through forms such as Laurens in Dutch and Laurent in French before reaching Scandinavian languages as Lars.

This transition reflects the broader influence of Latin on European languages following the Roman Empire's expansion and the subsequent Christianization of Northern Europe during the early Middle Ages. Historically, the name Lars can be traced back to the Viking Age, where it became popular in Scandinavia.

It is often associated with Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century, whose feast day is celebrated on August 10. The name gained further traction in the region through the spread of Christianity and the establishment of various saints' cults.

By the 12th century, Lars had become a common name in Sweden and Denmark, often used in conjunction with other names or as a diminutive form of Laurentius. Culturally, Lars has been embraced in various forms of literature and art, symbolizing strength and resilience.

The laurel's association with victory has contributed to the name's enduring significance in Scandinavian culture, where it is often linked to themes of honor and achievement. Additionally, the name has been borne by notable figures throughout history, including Lars Magnus Ericsson, a pioneer in telecommunications in the late 19th century.

The name's historical roots and cultural associations have solidified its place in Scandinavian heritage, making it a name of considerable significance.

Famous people named Lars

In this section, you will find notable people named Lars. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lars who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Lars who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Lars Ulrich is a musician best known for being the drummer and co-founder of Metallica.

Lars von Trier is a filmmaker best known for films such as Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, and Melancholia.

Lars Mikkelsen is an actor best known for his roles in House of Cards, The Witcher, and Sherlock.

Lars Riedel is a former discus thrower best known for winning multiple World Championships and Olympic medals.

Fictional characters named Lars

The following list of fictional characters named Lars is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Lars is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. He is a survivor who plays a significant role in the game's narrative, showcasing the struggles of humanity in a post-apocalyptic world.

Lars is a fictional character from the animated series Lars and the Real Girl. He is a socially awkward man who forms a unique relationship with a life-sized doll, leading to personal growth and community engagement.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lars, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LucaLeifLenaLiviaLiamLara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lars. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

LanceLorenLucaLiamLarsenLazloLyle

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lars was first seen in the United States in 1883.

Lars has ranked as high as #2494 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in California, New York, Minnesota, Washington, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Lars has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Lars is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lars was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lars.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 83 83
2024 67 67
2023 67 67
2022 95 95
2021 59 59
2020 83 83
2019 69 69
2018 87 87
2017 88 88
2016 109 109
2015 91 91
2014 83 83
2013 95 95
2012 84 84
2011 74 74
2010 89 89
2009 95 95
2008 102 102
2007 125 125
2006 101 101
2005 116 116
2004 111 111
2003 117 117
2002 127 127
2001 114 114
2000 128 128
1999 103 103
1998 109 109
1997 95 95
1996 97 97
1995 91 91
1994 89 89
1993 88 88
1992 88 88
1991 74 74
1990 84 84
1989 80 80
1988 84 84
1987 68 68
1986 75 75
1985 69 69
1984 81 81
1983 100 100
1982 82 82
1981 77 77
1980 99 99
1979 105 105
1978 64 64
1977 68 68
1976 79 79
1975 75 75
1974 79 79
1973 76 76
1972 87 87
1971 89 89
1970 104 104
1969 93 93
1968 88 88
1967 96 96
1966 82 82
1965 82 82
1964 90 90
1963 79 79
1962 95 95
1961 110 110
1960 61 61
1959 94 94
1958 74 74
1957 54 54
1956 54 54
1955 41 41
1954 44 44
1953 36 36
1952 40 40
1951 29 29
1950 34 34
1949 29 29
1948 34 34
1947 15 15
1946 16 16
1945 20 20
1944 21 21
1943 18 18
1942 25 25
1941 15 15
1940 22 22
1939 19 19
1938 15 15
1937 27 27
1936 16 16
1935 15 15
1934 12 12
1933 14 14
1932 10 10
1931 12 12
1930 13 13
1929 14 14
1928 15 15
1927 14 14
1926 14 14
1925 11 11
1924 9 9
1923 17 17
1922 10 10
1921 21 21
1920 14 14
1919 8 8
1918 12 12
1917 24 24
1916 10 10
1915 17 17
1914 16 16
1913 6 6
1912 6 6
1901 8 8
1897 5 5
1887 5 5
1886 5 5
1884 5 5
1883 7 7

Top States for Lars (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 12
50%
MN 7
29%
UT 5
21%