The baby name Laura ought to be considered a classic.
Thanks to Emily for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME LAURA MEAN?
Like many traditional favorites, the baby name Laura has a Latin origin. It comes from the word laurus, meaning laurel.
It might also be related to Laurence, via the feminine form Laurencia. However, chances are that those names ultimately share the same origin.
Either way, it’s not just a straightforward nature name, though. Ancient Romans crowned their victors with wreaths of laurel leaves. The image suggests achievement, even all these centuries later.
9th-century martyr Saint Laura of Cordoba refused to renounce her faith in Muslim-controlled Spain. She met her death in a vat of molten lead.
LAURA IN LITERATURE & HISTORY
Besides the enduring story of the martyred saint, Laura is a famous literary name.
Credit Italian poet Petrarch. Originally trained as a priest, he renounced his vows after seeing a woman in church one day. He called her Laura. She may have been Laura de Noves, a married noblewoman. Or not. It’s simply lost to time.
But the poetry remains.
It’s possible the writer chose Laura as a nod to laurels – excellence. Or it could be a play on l’aura – the wind, an image he uses in his sonnets.
What’s certain is that Laura was already in use as a given name in England, as well as across much of medieval Europe, when Petrarch wrote. Phonetic spelling Lora was also in use.
Famous figures from history include:
- Laura Secord, a Canadian heroine from the War of 1812. She’s known for walking 20 miles to warn the British of an upcoming attack by the Americans.
- Former First Lady Laura Bush.
- Actresses Laura Dern and Laura Linney, to name just two.
But the most famous Laura is arguably the author, historical figure, and television character based on both, Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Born in Wisconsin in 1867, Laura was the daughter of Charles and Caroline Ingalls. The family moved several times, including a stay in Walnut Creek, Minnesota, looking for a permanent place to settle. Ingalls recorded the stories of her childhood, early work as a teacher, and marriage to Almanzo Wilder, is a series of stories. They were first published in 1932.
The third book, Little House on the Prairie, is the most famous. It inspired the successful television series of the same name, which ran from 1974 to 1983. Little House remained a popular re-run for years after.
A Netflix reboot of the series is expected in July 2026, with a second season already ordered.
LAURA IN POP CULTURE
The baby name Laura already ranked in the US Top 100 long before Little House premiered. In fact, the name’s popularity pre-dates the publication of the books.
But the the 20th century saw the name feature in pop culture well beyond Little House.
There’s also:
- Gene Tierney starred in the title role of 1944 film Laura. The title them from the movie is the jazz standard “Laura,” frequently recorded and performed in the decades following. Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra were among the many to interpret the song.
- Ray Peterson recorded “Tell Laura I Love Her” in 1960.
- Singer Laura Branigan recorded the enduring 1980s anthem “Gloria.”
- Christopher Cross’ mournful “Think of Laura,” a ballad about the tragic death of a college student by the name.
- On a very different note, soap opera supercouple became a massive storyline for General Hospital at the close of the 1970s. Their 1981 two-part wedding episode became – and remains – the highest-ever viewed soap opera episode.
- Designer Laura Ashley became a staple in the 1970s and 80s, and remains popular day.
- The ill-fated character whose death starts the events of Twin Peaks answered to the name.
And that just barely scratches the surface.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME LAURA?
When name data is first compiled for the year 1880, Laura ranked in the Top Twenty.
It remains a Top 100 staple into the year 1934. It returns to the Top 100 as of 1945 and stays there until 2001.
Peak popularity came in 1969, when Laura reached #10 in the US.
As of 2025, Laura has faded to a chilly #379. Similar names Lauren and Laurel are even less popular.
In other words, we tend to hear this name as just slightly dated or overused by early 21st century standards.
Instead of Laura, we’ve moved on to Nora, Cora, and Aurora. Same sound, but less expected.
CLASSIC WITH COMEBACK POTENTIAL
Of course, our love of the -ora sound is one reason parents might rediscover this traditional favorite.
It helps that we love nature names.
And with the expected Little House on the Priarie reboot coming in 2026, at least some parents may re-consider this familiar, but neglected classic.
It might be the perfect choice for parents disappointed that Ella, Emma, and Amelia are so very popular now.
What do you think of the baby name Laura?
First published on April 1, 2011, this post was revised on August 7, 2012; April 21, 2012; November 14, 2018; and again on July 2, 2026.
I am a Laura and I am surprised, as many other commenters have noted, that you didn’t touch on the pronunciation problem. I am Laura pronounced with the “au” as you might pronounce laundry or auditorium – unless you are from New Jersey, that’s not really an “o” sound. So more like LAHR-ah, although my ears really do hear that u. LOR-ah makes me cringe! Where I grew up, it was understood that these were two different pronunciations of the same spelling. Spelling it Lara was LAIR-ah. Since moving to the Midwest, the accent here completely drops the u sound, it really is more like LAHR-ah and people assume my name is spelled Lara when I pronounce it, or pronounced Lora when I spell it. Someone naming a baby Laura or any other Laur- name should just go in eyes wide open, or not care about the difference in pronunciation. (Actually my parents don’t care how my name is pronounced – I am the one who has always been bothered by being called Lora!)
Good point, Laura – thanks! I didn’t realize that it was a major issue. But vowels are tricky, and I can see Laura-like-Nora or Laura-like-Lara being a challenge …
I would’ve named a girl Laura in a heartbeat, after Half-Pint, except that my aunt’s name is Lori sort for Lorraine, and so nope. Although it’s also a family name : my great-grandmother Mary, who was a Wilder, had sisters named Grace and Laura and a cousin named Carrie. All long before the books and far away from their distant cousin Almanzo’s wife.
I love Laura, Lauren, and Laurel! As a matter of fact, I have a Lauren. She was named after my great aunt Lora. There are so many Laura’s in my family that I wanted to make her name just a little bit different so it wasn’t confusing when we all got together!
Thanks for sharing the history of the name Laura!
Laura is a family name for me. My oldest sister and mother share the name. It was my grandmother’s second middle. It was also my grandmother’s aunt’s name. It is now my niece’s middle name.
Unfortunately for me it is unusable. I live in the south and am likely to stay and the southern pronunciation is markedly different than the family pronunciation. It would drive me bonkers trying (and, I know, failing) to get everyone around me to pronounce the name correctly. Luckily I have other family names I’ll be happy to pass along.
I grew up with many Laura’s, Lara’s, Lauren’s, etc. So they are all a bit tired to my ears. But Laurel, Loretta, and Lawrencia (I’d call her Wren) are all lovely variations.
I like the name but know so many of them. I have a cousin Laura whose brother is dating a Laura. My brother is also dating a Laura, and I have at least 2 friends named Laura…and that’s just the closer ones. I knew a Lara once and I considered Lara and Lora as fresher options, but they are to close to so many Lauras.