Lauren: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Lauren mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Latin: Laurel tree; honor and victory

Gender: Female, unisex

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Lauren is pronounced loh-ren

The name Lauren originates from the Latin word laurus, meaning "laurel tree", which was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. It began as a Roman family name for people born in the ancient Roman city of Laurentum. The name became popular in English-speaking countries, particularly in the mid-20th century, and is commonly used for both boys and girls, although it is more frequently given to girls.

Girl name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Swedish (Laurén; also found in Finland): from a Swedish vernacular form of the personal name Laurentius (see Lawrence, Lauri).

Famous people with this first name

Lauren Ambrose

Famous people with this last name

Ralph Lauren

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Wayne Newton

Lauren in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Lauren Tanner from Make It or Break It - A competitive gymnast with a complex personality.
Lauren Cooper from The Catherine Tate Show - A snarky schoolgirl known for her catchphrase "Am I bovvered?"
Lauren Reynolds from Cool Runnings - An American tourist who becomes involved with the Jamaican bobsled team.
Lauren Branning from EastEnders - A character from the long-running British soap opera.
Lauren Mallory from Twilight - A high school student and minor character in the series.

Popularity of the Name Lauren

According to Social Security Administration data, Lauren has seen a steady decline in popularity over recent years, moving out of the top 100 names where it had been a staple since the early 1980s. Despite its decline, Lauren remains a classic choice for many parents.

The Latin Lauren comes from the Roman family name Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum," an ancient Roman city southwest of Rome. Lauren was traditionally a male name, but has become a popular female and gender-neutral name over the years. Historically, the name Lauren gained enormous popularity in the mid-20th century, partly due to the influence of actress Lauren Bacall, an iconic figure of Hollywood's Golden Age. Other notable people named Lauren include fashion designer Ralph Lauren and actress Lauren Graham, well-known for her role in Gilmore Girls. In fiction, characters named Lauren have appeared in titles such as the movie The First Time and the TV series Alias.