Laura

Laura meaning

Laura is a Christian girl's name of Latin origin (via Italian).

Probably a pet form of Laurentia; ultimately laurus, 'laurel'

Also used to mean: victory

Laura came into English from Italian. The Online Etymology Dictionary explains it as probably a pet form of Laurentia, the feminine of Laurentius, the Latin original of Lawrence. Laurentius means "of Laurentum", a town on the coast of Latium whose name is understood as "town of bay trees", from laurus, "laurel". Since Roman victors were crowned with laurel, name lists also give "victory". The name was made famous by Laura, the beloved celebrated in Petrarch's sonnets. In India it is used by Christian families in Kerala, Goa and the Northeast.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), s.v. Laura; Laurence · entry Laura · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Laura · Online Etymology Dictionary, Lawrence

Famous namesakes

• Laura, the beloved of Petrarch's poems

Popularity abroad

• #379 United States, girls 2025 (down 20 from 359 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #303 England and Wales, girls 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Spellings

Laura · Lora · Laurie

Related names

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