Laura
/ˈlɔɹ.ə/
Laura is the feminine form of the Late Latin Laurus, meaning “laurel.” In ancient Rome, laurel wreaths crowned victors and poets, giving the name connotations of honour and triumph.
The 14th-century Italian poet Petrarch immortalised the name through his sonnets to a woman called Laura. Her identity remains debated, but the poetry made the name iconic across Europe.
Laura ranked No. 359 in 2024 with 868 births. It peaked at No. 10 in 1969 with 17,921 births, making it one of the era’s definitive names.
What the name Laura means
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books gave the name a wholesome American identity. First Lady Laura Bush kept it in the public eye into the 2000s.
Two syllables - LOR-uh - make it crisp and easy to say in any context. The open vowel ending softens what might otherwise be a clipped sound.
Though less common now than at its 1960s peak, Laura remains a solid choice for parents who want a classic name with no ambiguity in spelling or pronunciation.
International variants abound: Laure in French, Lara in Russian, and Lowri in Welsh. The name works seamlessly across dozens of languages.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Laura
Laura - similar names
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