Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Laura
GirlLatin, Italian· “laurel”
- Meaning
- laurel
- Origin
- Latin, Italian
- Pronunciation
- LOR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #379
- US babies 2025
- 805
- Best rank
- #10 (1969)
- Peak year
- 1964
Meaning and origin of Laura
Laura is a Latin and Italian name that means “laurel”.
Laura comes from the Latin laurus, meaning "laurel," the evergreen tree whose leaves were woven into crowns for victors and poets in ancient Rome. The name gained great literary fame through Laura, the woman celebrated in the poems of the Italian poet Petrarch, whose sonnets shaped European love poetry for centuries. Laura has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages and remains a steady classic. The author Laura Ingalls Wilder, of Little House on the Prairie, gave it a warm American association. The name is simple, graceful and understood in many languages.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lora.
Popularity over time
Laura 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #10 in 1969, and the most babies received it in 1964, when 18,967 were named Laura. In 2025, 805 babies were named Laura, and it ranked #379 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #63 in 1920, #63 in 1950, #21 in 1980, #85 in 2000, #271 in 2010, and #379 in 2025. Of the 801,811 US girls named Laura since records began, 22% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 134,608 babies. Since 2010, 15,517 more have been named Laura.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tammy, Lori, Jacqueline, Rhonda, and Paula.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Laura ranked highest in Massachusetts, Montana, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #179 | 31 |
| Montana | #236 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #262 | 42 |
| Kentucky | #265 | 17 |
| Florida | #280 | 68 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Laura is usually pronounced LOR-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-ra”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lora.
Middle names for Laura
A few middle names that flow with Laura: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Laura
Similar names
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NOR-uh
“honor; short form of Eleanor or Honora” · Irish
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Angelica Girl
an-JEH-lih-kuh
“angelic” · Latin
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Kara Girl
KEHR-uh
“dear, beloved” · Latin
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Lara Girl
LAHR-uh
“short for Larisa; uncertain” · Russian
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Chiara Girl
KYAHR-uh
“bright, clear” · Italian
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Cora Girl
KAW-ruh
“maiden” · Greek
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Kiara Girl
kee-AR-uh
“bright, clear; or dark” · Italian
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Vera Girl
VEER-uh
“faith” · Russian
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Mira Girl
MEER-uh
“wonderful; also peace” · Latin
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Sandra Girl
SAN-druh
“defender of men” · Italian
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Cara Girl
KAHR-uh
“friend; dear” · Irish
#1,326
Lyra Girl
LY-ruh
“lyre” · Greek
#435
Lists that include Laura
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Laura mean?
Laura is a Latin and Italian name that means “laurel”.
What is the origin of the name Laura?
Laura has Latin and Italian roots. Laura comes from the Latin laurus, meaning "laurel," the evergreen tree whose leaves were woven into crowns for victors and poets in ancient Rome.
Is Laura a popular name?
Yes. Laura ranked #379 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Laura a boy or girl name?
Laura is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Laura?
Laura is usually pronounced LOR-uh. 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