Laura
Laura first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1964, when 18,967 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 805.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Laura popular?
Declining Laura is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1964 peak.
| 2020s | 5,075 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10,442 | |
| 2000s | 25,043 | |
| 1990s | 67,253 | |
| 1980s | 134,608 | |
| 1970s | 118,204 | |
| 1960s | 174,185 | |
| 1950s | 95,526 | |
| 1940s | 35,071 | |
| 1930s | 25,093 | |
| 1920s | 35,991 | |
| 1910s | 30,549 | |
| 1900s | 15,532 | |
| 1890s | 16,433 | |
| 1880s | 12,806 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Laura mean?
Laura comes from the Latin laurus, “laurel,” the plant of victory and honour. It was the name of the muse in Petrarch’s celebrated love sonnets.
Nicknames for Laura
- Laurie
- Lori
Variants & spellings
- Lora
- Laure
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Frequently asked questions
Is Laura a boy or a girl name?
Laura is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Laura a popular name right now?
Laura is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1964 peak.
How popular is the name Laura?
In 2025, Laura ranked #379 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Laura most popular?
Laura was most popular in 1964, when about 18,967 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Laura?
Common nicknames for Laura include Laurie, Lori.