Laura
Peaked at #10 nationally in 1969, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Laura has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Laura is the feminine form of the Latin "laurus," meaning "laurel," a plant historically associated with victory and honor.
Notable people & culture
Petrarch's 14th-century sonnets to "Laura" made the name a byword for idealized love in Western literature; former First Lady Laura Bush and "Little House" author Laura Ingalls Wilder are notable modern bearers.
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Laura — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#10
in 1969
Current rank
#359
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Laura reached its peak popularity for girls in 1969, ranking #10 nationally with 17,921 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #315 (2014) to #359 (2024) — a 12% drop.
As of 2024, Laura ranks #359 nationally for girls, with 868 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #359 | 868 |
| 2023 | #362 | 845 |
| 2022 | #363 | 873 |
| 2021 | #389 | 805 |
| 2020 | #357 | 868 |
| 2019 | #337 | 951 |
| 2018 | #339 | 946 |
| 2017 | #339 | 948 |
Laura — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#592
in 1898
Last ranked
#13523
in 2011
Years tracked
111
1882–2011
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1882, Laura reached its peak popularity for boys in 1898, ranking #592 nationally with 14 babies given the name that year.
Laura hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2011, when it stood at #13523.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | #13,523 | 5 |
| 2005 | #10,921 | 6 |
| 2004 | #6,009 | 13 |
| 2001 | #7,258 | 9 |
| 2000 | #6,630 | 10 |
| 1999 | #7,564 | 8 |
| 1997 | #7,778 | 7 |
| 1996 | #5,067 | 12 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Laura most popular?
Laura was most popular in 1969, when it ranked #10 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Laura becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Laura?
At least 803,566 babies have been recorded with the name Laura in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Laura? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.