Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Lauren
GirlEnglish, Latin· “from Laurentum; linked to laurel”
- Meaning
- from Laurentum; linked to laurel
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- LOR-uhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #401
- US babies 2025
- 777
- Best rank
- #9 (1989)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Lauren
Lauren is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “from Laurentum; linked to laurel”.
Lauren is a feminine form of Laurence, from the Latin Laurentius, meaning from Laurentum, a town near Rome. The town's name is often connected with the laurel tree, a symbol of victory, though that link is not certain. Lauren emerged as a feminine name in the twentieth century and became widely known through the actress Lauren Bacall, whose stage name helped popularize it. It is soft and elegant, with two gentle syllables. Laurie and Lo are nicknames, and Lauryn and Loren are related spellings.
Other spellings with the same sound: Loren.
Popularity over time
Lauren first appears in US Social Security records in 1924. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 81 different years, starting in 1945. Its best national rank was #9 in 1989, the same year it reached its highest count of 21,065 babies. In 2025, 777 babies were named Lauren, and it ranked #401 nationally. That is 71% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #393 in 1950, #38 in 1980, #11 in 2000, #58 in 2010, and #401 in 2025. Of the 475,577 US girls named Lauren since records began, 32% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 145,161 babies. Since 2010, 34,698 more have been named Lauren.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Elizabeth, Megan, Tiffany, Stephanie, and Samantha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lauren ranked highest in Montana, New Hampshire, and Nebraska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #157 | 7 |
| New Hampshire | #191 | 7 |
| Nebraska | #194 | 12 |
| Kansas | #208 | 16 |
| North Dakota | #223 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lauren is usually pronounced LOR-uhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Loren.
Middle names for Lauren
A few middle names that flow with Lauren: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lauren
Similar names
Hayden Unisex
HAY-duhn
“hay valley” · English
#161
Heaven Girl
HEH-vuhn
“heaven, the sky” · English
#543
Raven Girl
RAY-vuhn
“raven, the black bird” · English
#404
Gracie Girl
GRAY-see
“grace” · English
#227
Haven Girl
HAY-vuhn
“safe place, harbor” · English
#190
Aspen Girl
AS-puhn
“aspen tree” · English
#266
April Girl
AY-pruhl
“the month of April” · Latin
#542
Rowen Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; also rowan tree” · Irish
#488
Maren Girl
MAIR-uhn
“of the sea (from Marina)” · Scandinavian
#472
Arden Unisex
AR-den
“from the Forest of Arden” · English
#975
Christen Unisex
KRIHS-uhn
“follower of Christ; variant of Christian” · English
#9,591
Autumn Girl
AW-tuhm
“autumn season” · English
#88
Lists that include Lauren
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lauren mean?
Lauren is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “from Laurentum; linked to laurel”.
What is the origin of the name Lauren?
Lauren has English and Latin roots. Lauren is a feminine form of Laurence, from the Latin Laurentius, meaning from Laurentum, a town near Rome.
Is Lauren a popular name?
Yes. Lauren ranked #401 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lauren a boy or girl name?
Lauren is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lauren?
Lauren is usually pronounced LOR-uhn. 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