Laurence Boy

Popularity: #845 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LAWR-ens //ˈlɔːrəns//

Origin: Latin; French

Meaning: Latin: 'from Laurentum'; French: 'laurel'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Laurence originates from the Latin name "Laurentius," which means "from Laurentum," a town in ancient Italy. The root of the name, "laurus," translates to "laurel," a symbol of victory and honor in Roman culture.

The name made its way into Old French as "Laurens" before being adopted into Middle English as "Laurence," and eventually evolving into the modern form "Laurence." This linguistic journey reflects the influence of Latin on the development of European languages, particularly through the Roman Empire and subsequent cultural exchanges during the Middle Ages. Historically, the name Laurence has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Laurence, a Christian martyr who was executed in 258 CE.

His feast day is celebrated on August 10, and he is recognized as the patron saint of cooks and the poor. The name gained prominence in the Christian tradition, particularly through the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible, which contributed to the spread of the name across Europe.

In the medieval period, Laurence was a common name among English nobility, with various kings and lords bearing the name, further solidifying its status in historical records. Culturally, the name Laurence has been associated with themes of honor and achievement, reflecting its etymological roots in the laurel.

The laurel wreath was historically awarded to victors in ancient Greece and Rome, symbolizing triumph and status. This connection has allowed the name to endure through centuries, often linked to individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including literature, art, and politics.

Diminutive forms such as "Larry" emerged in later centuries, showcasing the name's adaptability while maintaining its historical significance.

Famous people named Laurence

In this section, you will find notable people named Laurence. 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 Laurence who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Laurence 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.

Laurence Olivier is an actor and director best known for Hamlet, Rebecca, and The Entertainer.

Laurence Fishburne is an actor best known for The Matrix, Boyz n the Hood, and What's Love Got to Do with It.

Laurence Sterne is an author best known for Tristram Shandy and A Sentimental Journey.

Laurence J. Peter is an author best known for The Peter Principle.

Fictional characters named Laurence

The following list of fictional characters named Laurence 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.

Laurence is a fictional character from the novel and film The English Patient. He is a severely burned man who recounts his past as a World War II spy and his love for a nurse during his recovery.

Sibling suggestions

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

LucasLiamLeviLandonLoganLorenzo

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Laurence. 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.

LaurentLorenLawrieLarsLanceLutherLachlanLazaro

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Laurence was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Laurence has ranked as high as #500 nationally, which occurred in 1952, and has been most popular in New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Laurence has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Laurence 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 Laurence 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 Laurence.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 98 93 5
2024 67 67 0
2023 68 68 0
2022 59 54 5
2021 67 62 5
2020 79 72 7
2019 66 61 5
2018 67 61 6
2017 72 72 0
2016 56 56 0
2015 60 60 0
2014 59 59 0
2013 45 45 0
2012 51 51 0
2011 48 48 0
2010 41 41 0
2009 56 56 0
2008 53 53 0
2007 55 55 0
2006 76 71 5
2005 61 61 0
2004 71 71 0
2003 81 81 0
2002 79 74 5
2001 68 68 0
2000 77 71 6
1999 86 86 0
1998 97 97 0
1997 97 91 6
1996 114 109 5
1995 124 124 0
1994 103 103 0
1993 101 101 0
1992 124 124 0
1991 116 116 0
1990 133 122 11
1989 152 145 7
1988 114 106 8
1987 120 115 5
1986 119 119 0
1985 143 138 5
1984 153 153 0
1983 134 134 0
1982 164 164 0
1981 167 167 0
1980 161 161 0
1979 152 152 0
1978 145 139 6
1977 164 158 6
1976 174 174 0
1975 179 179 0
1974 184 184 0
1973 204 204 0
1972 214 214 0
1971 231 231 0
1970 303 303 0
1969 308 302 6
1968 330 321 9
1967 356 348 8
1966 355 350 5
1965 370 364 6
1964 463 456 7
1963 510 503 7
1962 519 519 0
1961 552 540 12
1960 513 513 0
1959 518 518 0
1958 541 541 0
1957 612 607 5
1956 651 651 0
1955 641 641 0
1954 709 709 0
1953 755 748 7
1952 856 845 11
1951 828 822 6
1950 807 807 0
1949 802 802 0
1948 774 768 6
1947 778 778 0
1946 708 708 0
1945 591 591 0
1944 581 581 0
1943 648 648 0
1942 671 666 5
1941 529 524 5
1940 604 604 0
1939 549 549 0
1938 484 478 6
1937 448 448 0
1936 432 432 0
1935 427 427 0
1934 489 489 0
1933 426 426 0
1932 479 479 0
1931 526 518 8
1930 569 562 7
1929 592 586 6
1928 585 573 12
1927 589 583 6
1926 610 610 0
1925 569 551 18
1924 581 575 6
1923 550 543 7
1922 592 580 12
1921 610 599 11
1920 561 550 11
1919 547 531 16
1918 567 557 10
1917 503 495 8
1916 479 470 9
1915 471 462 9
1914 384 379 5
1913 320 314 6
1912 277 271 6
1911 128 121 7
1910 123 114 9
1909 94 89 5
1908 97 91 6
1907 84 78 6
1906 89 81 8
1905 82 77 5
1904 80 73 7
1903 77 77 0
1902 77 71 6
1901 60 60 0
1900 86 81 5
1899 71 63 8
1898 83 74 9
1897 69 69 0
1896 64 59 5
1895 58 58 0
1894 46 46 0
1893 58 53 5
1892 45 45 0
1891 46 39 7
1890 47 42 5
1889 32 32 0
1888 38 38 0
1887 28 28 0
1886 43 43 0
1885 33 33 0
1884 24 24 0
1883 28 28 0
1882 24 24 0
1881 28 28 0
1880 25 25 0

Top States for Laurence (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 11
46%
NY 8
33%
PA 5
21%