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Richard vs Laura

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Richard

Boy #232 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong ruler, powerful leader"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German Spanish Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#232
Total SSA Count
1,539
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Richard' can be twisted to 'bitch'"}

Laura

Girl #358 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"laurel tree"

Origin: Latin (laurus)

Cultural Roots

English Italian Spanish German American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#358
Total SSA Count
868
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Richard Rank #232
Laura Rank #358

Richard is more popular, ranked #232 vs #358 for Laura.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richard or Laura more popular?

Richard is more popular, ranked #232 compared to Laura at #358 in the United States.

What do Richard and Laura mean?

Richard means "strong ruler, powerful leader" (Germanic origin). Laura means "laurel tree" (Latin (laurus) origin).

Are Richard and Laura boy or girl names?

Richard is primarily a boy name. Laura is primarily a girl name.

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