Lauren Name Meaning
Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Lauren.
Fact checked by Elizabeth BrownfieldFact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield
Lauren is a name of French origin given to children of any gender. No one can quite settle on what the name Lauren means. It has been interpreted to mean “wisdom” or “laurel plant.” The name is derived from the French name Laurence, which is thought to have been derived from the Roman surname Laurentius.
Interestingly, Laurentius is derived from Laurentum, an ancient Italian city that got its name from Laurus, which means “bay laurel.” Lauren is also a common surname in some parts of the world. One of the most famous people with the last name Lauren is Ralph Lauren.
Although the name is currently unisex, it was traditionally a male name. Its popularity as a female name is thought to be attributed to the American actress Lauren Bacall. Lauren is also considered a feminine form of the traditionally masculine name Lawrence. In French, Lauren means “crowned with laurel.”
Origin: Lauren has been traced to Latin and French origins.
Gender: The name Lauren started as a traditionally masculine name, but has since grown to become a popular unisex name.
Pronunciation: law-ren
Editor's Note
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
How Popular Is the Name Lauren?
Lauren enjoyed the most popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. From the early 1980s until 2006, the name remained on the top 25 list of most popular names in the United States. Although Lauren isn’t as popular as it used to be, it remains a fairly desirable name.
Lauren started as a traditionally masculine name, but it is now more often used as a girl’s name in the US. In 2023, Lauren ranked as the No. 343 most popular girl’s name.
As a boy's name, Lauren peaked in popularity in 1989 (21,198 babies were named Lauren that year). The name has since dipped in popularity.
Name Variations
Many variations for the name Lauren exist in other languages and cultures. Some of the most popular include:
Laura
Laurena
Laurens (Dutch)
Laurentia (Ancient Romanian)
Laurie
Lauryn
Laryn
Loren
Lorens (Swedish)
Lorin
Lorrin
If you are thinking of picking a variation to the name, it’s important to remember that Lauren has many definitions in many traditions.
Similar Names
Lauren is a classic name. If you want to consider other names before making a decision, other names that begin with the letter "L" include:
Here are other French names to consider:
Aimee
Camille
Chanel
Fleur
Genevieve
Lourdes
Margot
Nicolette
Simone
Zoe
Suggested Sibling Names
Looking for a sibling name for Lauren? Here are some popular options:
Aaron
Antoinette
Arthur
Bernadette
Charles
Danielle
Gabrielle
Hugo
Jean
Lawrence
Louise
Marie
Marc
Paul
Samuel
Thomas
Victor
Famous People Named Lauren
If you are thinking of naming your baby Lauren, here are a few famous people who would also be sharing the name with your child:
Lauren Ackerman, American physician and pathologist
Lauren Barnes, American soccer player
Lauren Bush, American model
Lauren Child, English author and illustrator
Lauren Cohan, American actress and model
Lauren Crandall, American hockey player
Lauren Davis, American professional tennis player
Lauren Donner, American film producer
Lauren Graham, American actress
Lauren Harris, British rock singer
Lauren Holiday, American professional soccer player
Lauren Jackson, Australian basketball player
Lauren Kleppin, American long-distance runner
Lauren London, American actress
Lauren Nelson, beauty queen and holder of the Miss America title in 2007
Lauren Quigley, British singer
Lauren Scott, American LGBT activist
Lauren Underwood, American politician
Lauren Weisberger, American novelist and writer of the bestseller The Devil Wears Prada
Lauren Woodland, American actress
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.
