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Home › Baby Names Directory › Laurence

Laurence

♂ Boy

Pronounced lawr-EHN-seh /lɔr.ˈɛn.sɛ/Low

Meaning: From Laurentum; ultimately from Latin laurus (laurel), symbol of victory.Low

In 30 seconds: Laurence is a Latin name from Laurentum, ultimately from laurus, 'laurel' - the wreath that crowned victors.
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningFrom Laurentum; ultimately from Latin laurus (laurel), symbol of victory.
U.S. rank (2025)#1747 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births93 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1952
Total births (all-time)≈ 39,720

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195218802025

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

The name traces to Laurentum, an ancient town whose own name links to Latin laurus, the laurel. Because laurel wreaths marked triumph, the name carries an undertone of victory and honor. Laurence is the older, fuller spelling that English long preferred.

It has clothed major figures of the stage and screen: Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), who won an Academy Award for 'Hamlet', and Laurence Harvey (1928-1973), Oscar-nominated for 'Room at the Top'. The name reads as formal and theatrical, its three syllables unhurried.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Laurence is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Laurence — 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

  • ★Laurence Olivier (1907-1989)
    English actor and director; won the Academy Award for Best Actor for 'Hamlet' (1948).
  • ★Laurence Harvey (1928-1973)
    Lithuanian-born British actor; Oscar-nominated for 'Room at the Top' (1959).

If you like Laurence…

Lawrence— The common English respelling of Laurence, identical in sound and meaning.
Lorenzo— The Italian form of the same laurel name, sharing Laurence's Latin Laurentum root.
Lars— A Scandinavian short form descended from the same Laurence/Laurentius name.
Justice— shares Laurence's Latin roots
Terrance— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Laurence

By meaningVictory

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Laurence mean?

Laurence is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Laurence?

It's commonly said lawr-EHN-seh /lɔr.ˈɛn.sɛ/.

Is Laurence a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Laurence?

In 2024, Laurence ranked #2196 in the U.S. for boys, with 66 births recorded.

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