Laurence is a beloved classic baby name. Revered as a variation of Lawrence among English speakers, Laurence is also a highly popular name in the Francophone world. Laurence Dominic is the name of a character in the Dollhouse series, and Laurence Taichi Umehara is a character in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Keep reading to learn more about this name.
Meaning of the name Laurence:
Latin: Laurel tree, person from Laurentum
Origin of the name Laurence:
Laurence originates from the Latin word laurus (meaning “laurel tree”). The given name arose as the Roman cognomen Laurentius (meaning “person from Laurentum”), and Laurentum was a city in ancient Italy famous for its laurel trees. In English, Laurence is a masculine given name and a common variation of Lawrence. For French speakers, Laurence is often a female given name and the feminine variation Laurent. Various short forms of Laurence include Laurie, Lauren, and Larry.
Symbolism of the name Laurence:
Laurence derives from the Latin word laurus (meaning “laurel tree”). During Greco-Roman antiquity, the symbol of the laurel was the victorious wreath or crown.
Style of the name Laurence:
Classic
Gender of the name Laurence:
Laurence is a unisex baby name.
Pronunciation of the name Laurence:
LAWR-əns
Number of syllables in the name Laurence:
Two
Emotion evoked from the name Laurence:
The name Laurence evokes feelings of warmth and worth.
Alternative spellings for the name Laurence:
- Lawrence
- Lorence
- Lorentz
- Lorrence
- Laurance
Nicknames for the name Laurence:
Popularity of the name Laurence:
According to the Social Security Administration index, Laurence was the 2,237th most popular baby name for boys in 2021. Laurence was the 15,165th most popular baby name for girls in 2021.
Related names for the name Laurence:
Great middle names for Laurence and their meanings:
- Arsenio (virile, manly, strong)
- Blair (plain, meadow, pasture, field)
- Courtney (courteous, courtly, short nose)
- Dashiell (page, dashing, heaven, sky)
- Easton (east town)
- Franklin (free landholder)
- Kolton (coal settlement)
- Malka (queen)
- Payton (fighting man's estate)
- Reed (red, ruddy, wetland plant)
- Riley (rye meadow)
- Torin (chief)
- Vanille (vanilla flower)
- Willis (resolute protector, strong-willed warrior)
Famous people with the name Laurence:
- Laurence Roderick Llewelyn-Bowen (interior designer and television personality)
- Laurence des Cars (art historian)
- Laurence Neil “Lol” Creme (musician)
- Laurence John Fishburne III (actor)
- Laurence Fournier Beaudry (ice dancer)
- Laurence Paul Fox (actor)
- Laurence Stephen Geller (real estate investor and chancellor)
- Laurence Paul Godfrey “Larry” Godfrey (professional archer)
- Laurence Charlotte Leboeuf (actress)
- Laurence Edward Alan “Laurie” Lee (poet)
- Laurence George “Laurie” Main (actor)
- Laurence Eugene “Lon” Myers (Olympic runner)
- Laurence Kerr Olivier (actor)
Laurence in popular culture:
- Laurence Dominic (character in the Dollhouse series)
- Laurence Taichi Umehara (character in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series)