The first name Laurence
A boy’s name from Latin meaning “a person from laurentum”, “laurel”.
Pronounced /ˈlɔɹəns/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Laurence means “a person from laurentum”, “laurel” in Latin.
From the name of a third century Roman martyr, Latin Laurentius, "a person from Laurentum", the place name possibly derived from laurus (“laurel”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 101 boys were named Laurence, making it the 401st most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 216 births (#161).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Laurence with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Laurence at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 93 boys born in the United States were named Laurence, the 1,747th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1952, when 845 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Laurence in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Laurence
94 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Laurence OlivierEnglish actor and director (1907–1989)
- Laurence SterneAnglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713–1768)
- Laurence FishburneAmerican actor, born 1961
- Richard Laurence Millington SyngeBritish biochemist (1914–1994)
- Laurence J. PeterCanadian educator (1919–1990)
- Paul Laurence DunbarAmerican poet, novelist, and short story writer (1872–1906)
- Laurence DohertyEnglish tennis player (1875-1919)
- Laurence FoxBritish actor and activist (born 1978)
- Laurence OliphantBritish author, traveller, diplomat and Christian mystic (1829-1888)
- Laurence StoddardAmerican coxswain (1903-1997)
- Laurence ReesBritish historian, born 1957
- Laurence Fournier BeaudryCanadian ice dancer, born 1992
More Latin boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Laurence mean?
- Laurence means “a person from laurentum”, “laurel” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Laurence?
- From the name of a third century Roman martyr, Latin Laurentius, "a person from Laurentum", the place name possibly derived from laurus (“laurel”).
- How popular is the name Laurence?
- In 2025, 101 boys born in England and Wales were named Laurence, ranking 401st. Its peak was 1997, with 216 births.
- What are nicknames for Laurence?
- Common nicknames for Laurence include Larry, Laurie, Loz, Lanny.
- Is Laurence a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 40,215 US babies named Laurence since 1880 were boys.
- When was Laurence most popular?
- 1952 in the United States, when 845 babies were named Laurence, its highest rank at 231st.
- How do you pronounce Laurence?
- Laurence is /ˈlɔɹəns/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Laurence?
- Lawrence and Lauren.
- Is Laurence also a surname?
- Yes. Laurence is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.