Laura

Q: What is the origin of Laura?

Laura is of Latin origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Laura a girl name?

Laura is traditionally a girl name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

female

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Laurel"

From Latin laurus meaning laurel, it carries classical and literary associations and has remained common across European languages.

Themes:laurellatinclassicpoetic

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Laura

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#359Top 500

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#359

Laura was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Laura Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Laura.

10 ideas

Laurie

Nickname

Lulu

Nickname

lauy

Nickname

laur

Nickname

lauray

Nickname

aura

Nickname

lora

Nickname

laurie

Nickname

Similar Names to Laura

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94

|Hebrew

female

Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

#124

|English

female

Amanda

uh-MAN-duh

“Worthy of Love”

#496

|Latin

female

Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228

|French

female

Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282

|Greek

female

Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141

|Hebrew

female

Amber

“Amber Resin”

#541

|Arabic

female

Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191

|Hebrew

female

Ava

AY-vuh

“Birdlike; Life”

|Germanic

female

Audrey

“Noble Strength”

#82

|English

Baby Name Lists That Include Laura

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Laura, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

14 linked lists

Famous Lauras

L
Laura Ingalls Wilder
American author of the Little House on the Prairie series
L
Laura Dern
American actress and Academy Award winner

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Laura mean?

Laura means "Laurel". From Latin laurus meaning laurel, it carries classical and literary associations and has remained common across European

What is the origin of Laura?

Laura is of Latin origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Laura?

According to the latest SSA data, Laura is currently ranked #359 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Laura a girl name?

Laura is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Laura?

Popular nicknames for Laura include Laurie, Lulu, lauy, laur, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Laura?

There are many names similar to Laura in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginLatin, English

Syllables2

Length5 letters

US Rank#359

Trend↑ Rising

Starts withL

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Augustus Atticus Cristian Francis Fabian

Sisters

Amanda Alma Adriana Alivia Arabella

Explore More Girl Names Like Laura

Laura has Latin roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Latin baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Laura appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Latin Baby Names and Traditional English Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Laura pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Laura beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.