Lawrence
Lawrence is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
From Laurentum; crowned with laurel.
Origin and history
Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum', an ancient Italian city known for its laurel trees. It has a long history of traditional use in English-speaking countries. In the United States, it was a top 50 name for much of the 20th century and remains a classic, recognizable choice today.
Popularity in the United States
461,170 babies in the United States have been named Lawrence since 1880. It ranks #68 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #539.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.1 %)
- CA (7 %)
- PA (6.8 %)
- IL (6.7 %)
- MI (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,919 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,597 |
| 1900-1910 | 6,846 |
| 1910-1920 | 36,354 |
| 1920-1930 | 56,867 |
| 1930-1940 | 54,485 |
| 1940-1950 | 80,461 |
| 1950-1960 | 91,110 |
| 1960-1970 | 51,342 |
| 1970-1980 | 26,662 |
| 1980-1990 | 19,638 |
| 1990-2000 | 13,156 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,616 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,895 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,222 |
Famous people named Lawrence
- Lawrence Fishburne: Actor, Producer
- Lawrence Krauss: Physicist, Author
- Lawrence Taylor: Athlete
Nicknames
Larry, Lawrie, Laurie
Fun facts
- The root place name Laurentum derives from laurus, the Latin word for the laurel tree, which symbolized victory and distinction.
- Lawrence ranked among the top 100 most popular male names in the United States from 1880 until the mid-1950s.