Larry
Larry is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
From Laurentum; crowned with laurel.
Origin and history
Larry originated as a diminutive of Laurence or Lawrence, which traces back to the Latin surname Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum'. It gained immense popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century as an independent given name. Although its usage for newborns has declined significantly in recent decades, it remains a classic, recognizable American name.
Popularity in the United States
807,588 babies in the United States have been named Larry since 1880. It ranks #40 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #885.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.8 %)
- CA (6.5 %)
- OH (5.7 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
- MI (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 150 |
| 1890-1900 | 299 |
| 1900-1910 | 634 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,576 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,219 |
| 1930-1940 | 65,249 |
| 1940-1950 | 255,908 |
| 1950-1960 | 245,698 |
| 1960-1970 | 108,582 |
| 1970-1980 | 58,138 |
| 1980-1990 | 31,278 |
| 1990-2000 | 15,946 |
| 2000-2010 | 9,139 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,345 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,427 |
Famous people named Larry
- Larry Bird: Basketball Player, Coach
- Larry King: Talk Show Host, Journalist
- Larry David: Comedian, Writer
Fun facts
- Larry was a top-10 name for boys in the United States for several consecutive years in the late 1940s.
- Originally used only as a short form of Laurence or Lawrence, Larry became popular as an official birth name in the 20th century.