Laurence
Laurence is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
From Laurentum; crowned with laurel.
Origin and history
Laurence is a classic English name derived from the Latin Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum.' It has a long tradition of use in English-speaking countries, often associated with saintly and literary figures. In the United States, it remains a traditional, moderately used masculine choice.
Popularity in the United States
39,720 babies in the United States have been named Laurence since 1880. It ranks #577 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1513.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17 %)
- CA (11.3 %)
- IL (7.4 %)
- MA (7.2 %)
- MI (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 303 |
| 1890-1900 | 548 |
| 1900-1910 | 778 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,714 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,750 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,808 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,670 |
| 1950-1960 | 6,889 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,216 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,938 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,402 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,073 |
| 2000-2010 | 661 |
| 2010-2019 | 554 |
| 2020-2029 | 416 |
Famous people named Laurence
- Laurence Olivier: Actor, Director
- Laurence Fishburne: Actor, Producer
Nicknames
Larry, Laurie
Fun facts
- Laurence is the classic English spelling preferred in Britain and traditional literature, while Lawrence is slightly more common in the United States.
- Friar Laurence is a key figure in Shakespeare's famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet.