Laval Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: lah-VAL /lɑːˈvæl/
Origin: French; Latin
Meaning: French: 'of the valley'; Latin: 'valley'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Laval has its roots in Old French, derived from the word "val," meaning "valley." This term itself can be traced back to the Latin "vallis," which also signifies a valley or a low-lying area. The evolution of the name into its current form likely occurred during the medieval period, as the Old French language began to take shape and influence the development of names in the English-speaking world.
The transition into English likely happened through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French terms and names were adopted into English vernacular, particularly in regions influenced by Norman rule. Historically, the name Laval is associated with various geographical locations in France, notably the town of Laval in the Mayenne department, which has roots dating back to the Roman era.
The town's significance grew during the medieval period, becoming a center of trade and culture. Additionally, the name is linked to notable historical figures, including the 16th-century French nobleman and military leader, François de Laval, who became the first bishop of Quebec and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Catholic Church in Canada.
His contributions to the church and education in the New World during the 17th century further solidified the name's historical importance. Culturally, the name Laval evokes a sense of place and heritage, often associated with the natural beauty of valleys and the pastoral landscapes of France.
The name carries connotations of stability and rootedness, reflecting the geographical features it denotes. In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations may arise, but the name Laval itself retains a strong connection to its original meaning and historical significance, symbolizing both a physical landscape and a lineage of notable individuals who have borne the name.
Famous people named Laval
In this section, you will find notable people named Laval. 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 Laval who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Laval 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.
Laval St. Germain is a Canadian ice hockey player best known for his time with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins.
Laval University is known for its contributions to education and research in Canada.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Laval, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Laval. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Laval was first seen in the United States in 1921.
Laval has ranked as high as #1070 nationally, which occurred in 1955, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Laval has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Laval 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 Laval was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Laval
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Laval.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1979 | 8 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1958 | 6 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1955 | 9 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1946 | 8 |
| 1943 | 6 |
| 1941 | 6 |
| 1937 | 7 |
| 1935 | 5 |
| 1921 | 6 |