Lamar

♂ Boy

Pronounced luh-MAR /lə.ˈmɑɹ/Medium

Meaning: From a French surname, originally a place name 'la mare' ('the pool/pond'). Widely used as a given name, especially in African American communities.Medium

In 30 seconds: Lamar comes from a French surname rooted in the place name 'la mare', meaning 'the pool' or 'the pond'.

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Origin MediumFrench, English

MeaningFrom a French surname, originally a place name 'la mare' ('the pool/pond'). Widely used as a given name, especially in African American communities.

U.S. rank (2025)#1517 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births115 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 33,961

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lamar began as a French surname describing someone who lived near a pool or pond, from 'la mare'. It crossed into use as a given name and became especially popular in African American communities, where it has a strong presence. The watery place-name origin is now largely forgotten in favor of the name's modern rhythm and feel.

With its stress on the second syllable, Lamar has a smooth, assured sound. It is carried today by the NFL quarterback and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, born in 1997, who has given the name fresh prominence.

Did you know? Lamar likely reached first-name use through a surname or place-name route, which gives it that modern borrowed-from-history feel.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Lamar — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Lamar Jackson (b. 1997)
American NFL quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens and a two-time league MVP.

If you like Lamar…

Omar— A name with a similar two-syllable, second-stressed sound.

Cedar— echoes that soft -ar sound

Skylar— shares Lamar's English roots

Bryar— a fellow English choice

Kylar— a fellow English choice

Explore names like Lamar

By themeenglish surname-style african-american

By meaningGift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lamar mean?

Lamar is usually explained as meaning 'the pool' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Lamar?

It's commonly said luh-MAR /lə.ˈmɑɹ/.

Is Lamar a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Lamar is used as a boy name.

How popular is Lamar?

In 2024, Lamar ranked #1515 in the U.S. for boys, with 117 births recorded.