Laurence vs Lou

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Laurence

Boy #2,194 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"from Laurentum; laurel-crowned"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

French English Irish American Belgian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,194
Total SSA Count
66
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Larry, Laurie, Lance

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Laurence →

Lou

Boy #2,123 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"famous warrior"

Origin: Germanic via French Louis

Cultural Roots

French English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,123
Total SSA Count
70
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

24 High Risk

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

Full profile for Lou →

Popularity Comparison

Laurence Rank #2,194
Lou Rank #2,123

Lou is more popular, ranked #2123 vs #2194 for Laurence.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Laurence ___

  • Laurence James
  • Laurence Michael
  • Laurence Thomas
  • Laurence Edward
  • Laurence Henry
  • Laurence Francis

Lou ___

  • Lou Henry
  • Lou James
  • Lou William
  • Lou Allen
  • Lou Clark
  • Lou Reed

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Laurence

Margaret Catherine Eleanor Edmund Philip

If you choose Lou

Beau Nell Dot June Ray

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Laurence or Lou more popular?

Lou is more popular, ranked #2123 compared to Laurence at #2194 in the United States.

What do Laurence and Lou mean?

Laurence means "from Laurentum; laurel-crowned" (Latin origin). Lou means "famous warrior" (Germanic via French Louis origin).

Are Laurence and Lou boy or girl names?

Laurence is primarily a boy name. Lou is primarily a boy name.

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