Laura

The girl's name Laura is the short form of Laurentia, the feminine form of the Latin name Laurentius. The name means 'the one originating from the city of Laurentum.'

What does the name Laura mean?

The girl's name Laura is the short form of Laurentia, the feminine form of the Latin name Laurentius. The name means 'the one originating from the city of Laurentum.' Laurentius was originally a Roman nickname for men from the ancient Roman city of Laurentum. The name Laura and its original names were later folk-etymologically reinterpreted and associated with the Latin word laurus for 'laurel.' Therefore, the first name Laura also carries the meaning 'the laurel-crowned' in the sense of a beauty and victor adorned with a laurel wreath. The original name Laurentius or Laurentia first gained popularity through the veneration of Saint Lawrence of Rome (3rd century). The popularity of the short form Laura from the Middle Ages is largely attributed to the significant poetry collection Canzoniere by Francesco Petrarca, an Italian poet. In this love poetry, an unattainable beloved is named Laura. Today, the girl's name Laura ranks among the most common female first names in the world, with nearly four million bearers. The name is particularly popular and widespread in German, Italian, Spanish, and also English-speaking regions. In Germany, the name began to gain popularity in the 1980s and has continued to increase in popularity over the following decades. Today, Laura is one of the most popular girl's names in Germany. The short form Lara is also very popular. Notable bearers of the name in Germany include former biathlete Laura Dahlmeier and television presenter Laura Wontorra. Other international variants of Laura or Laurentia include Laure, Lauren, Laurence, Laurie, and Loretta.

Where does the name Laura come from?

Etymology Laura is a feminine first name of Latin origin meaning 'the one originating from the city of Laurentum' or 'the laurel-crowned.' Latin

How do you pronounce Laura?

Sound & pronunciation of Laura: The name Laura is two syllables and open-structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Lau-ra' [ˈlaʊ̯ʁa], with the diphthong 'au' providing a wide, lively sound at the beginning. The open ending gives the name lightness. Laura appears timeless and elegant - harmonious, friendly, and present.

When is the name day of Laura?

Laura has name days on January 22 (Laura Vicuña), August 10 (Laurentius of Rome), and October 19 (Laura of Córdoba).

Popularity

In the late 1920s and 1930s, the first name Laura in Germany mostly ranked between Top 130 and Top 200. Some better years, such as 1929 with rank 133 or 1935 with rank 138, reached the extended midfield, but overall the name remained outside the Top 100. In the 1940s and 1950s, the rankings fluctuated significantly, but mostly remained between Top 160 and Top 300.

Nicknames & pet names

Arual / Blaura / Klaura / La / Laillu / Laki / Lala / Lali / Lalla / Lalou / Laruscha / Lau / Lauch / Lauchen / Lauchi / Laui / Laula / Laulau / Lauli / Laulilu / Laulu / Laurachen / Lauradieschen / Lauranzen / Laureen / Laurer / Lauri / Lauria / Laurinchen / Laurinka / Lauris / Laurita / Lauritsa / Laurium / Laurus / Laus / Lauschi / Lausi / Lautschi / Lay / Lila / Lola / Lolaa / Lolly / Lolo / Lora / Lore / Lorry / Lory / Lotte / Lou / Loula / Lua / Lulu / Lura / Luri / Lurrel / Lusche / Läuschen / Löppel / Maura / Ra / Ralau / Raula / Raura / Schlaura / Vegitrulla

Similar first names

Famous people

• Laura + der Stern (children's book)
• Laura Allen (American actress)
• Laura Angel (* 1974), Czech singer, model)
• Laura Ashley (designer)
• Laura Badea-Carlescu (Romanian fencer)
• Laura Ballance (American musician)
• Laura Benz (ice hockey player from Switzerland)
• Laura Berlin (actress Ruby Red)
• Laura Biagiotti (designer)
• Laura Bozzo (television presenter from Peru)
• Laura Branigan (singer)
• Laura Brioli (Italian opera singer)
• Laura Bush (wife of the 43rd President of the USA)
• Laura Dahlmeier (biathlete)
• Laura Danly (American astronomer)
• Laura Dekker (Dutch sailor)
• Laura Dern (American actress)
• Laura Dianne Vandervoort (Canadian actress)
• Laura Dickenberger (actress)
• Laura Duke Condominas (actress from France)