Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Larry
BoyEnglish, Latin· “from Laurentum; short for Lawrence”
- Meaning
- from Laurentum; short for Lawrence
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- LAIR-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,085
- US babies 2025
- 198
- Best rank
- #10 (1947)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Larry
Larry is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “from Laurentum; short for Lawrence”.
Larry began as a pet form of Lawrence, from the Latin Laurentius, meaning from Laurentum, a town near Rome often linked with the laurel tree. Saint Lawrence, a deacon martyred in Rome in the third century, spread the full name across Christian Europe. Larry became a standalone given name in the twentieth century and was a familiar American choice for decades, carried by many athletes, entertainers and broadcasters. Today it has a friendly, retro feel that could appeal to parents who like vintage names. Lawrence or Laurence can serve as the formal version.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lary.
Popularity over time
Larry has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 143 different years. Its best national rank was #10 in 1947, the same year it reached its highest count of 34,946 babies. In 2025, 198 babies were named Larry, and it ranked #1,085 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #261 in 1920, #11 in 1950, #70 in 1980, #280 in 2000, #364 in 2010, and #1,085 in 2025. Of the 807,588 US boys named Larry since records began, 32% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 245,698 babies. Since 2010, 6,772 more have been named Larry.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ronald, Charles, Jerry, Richard, and William.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Larry ranked highest in Louisiana, Kansas, and Ohio.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Larry is usually pronounced LAIR-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-ry”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lary.
Middle names for Larry
A few middle names that flow with Larry: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Larry
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Lists that include Larry
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Larry mean?
Larry is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “from Laurentum; short for Lawrence”.
What is the origin of the name Larry?
Larry has English and Latin roots. Larry began as a pet form of Lawrence, from the Latin Laurentius, meaning from Laurentum, a town near Rome often linked with the laurel tree.
Is Larry a popular name?
Not especially. Larry ranked #1,085 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Larry a boy or girl name?
Larry is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Larry?
Larry is usually pronounced LAIR-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings