Lamar

Pronunciation: [ l-uhm-AHR ]

Boy Name #1,517 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

From the French bayous to the Pulitzer stage

African American French American Southern US

Strong Bold Classic Vintage Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"of the sea, of the lake"

Origin: Old French

Language: French

"from the pool or marsh"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

The Story of Lamar

Lamar is a French surname turned given name, derived from the French phrase 'de la mare' meaning 'of the sea' or 'of the pool/lake.' It was common as an aristocratic French family name and was carried to the American South, where it was adopted as a first name. In the 19th century, it gained prestige through prominent Southern figures like Senator Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II of Mississippi.

Lamar peaked in the United States during the 1960s-1970s, particularly in African American communities where French-origin surnames were fashionable as given names. Today, the name carries renewed cultural cachet through rapper Kendrick Lamar, who became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize.

In African American naming tradition, Lamar represents the rich French-Creole influence on Southern American culture. Through the Civil Rights era, it carried connotations of dignity and intellectual aspiration. Kendrick Lamar has added a powerful contemporary chapter to its legacy.

Fun Facts

Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018 for his album 'DAMN.'
Hedy Lamarr, Golden Age actress of the 1940s, co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication system that became the technological foundation for Bluetooth and WiFi

Lamar in Other Languages

Arabic لامار

Creole Lamar

French Lamar

Spanish Lamar

Famous People Named Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Musician

1987

Compton-born rapper and songwriter, first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music (2018) for 'DAMN.' — widely conside...

Compton-born rapper and songwriter, first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music (2018) for 'DAMN.' — widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time

Lamar Odom

Athlete

1979

NBA champion who won two titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and was named the league's Sixth Man of the Year in 2011

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,517
Total SSA Count: 117
Cultural Origins: African American French American Southern US
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Mar Lam

Pairs Well With

Lamar James Lamar Anthony Lamar Marcus Lamar Deon Lamar Robert

Sibling Names

Marcus Jada Deon Imani Kendrick

Also a Girl Name

Lamar is also used as a girl name, ranked #6615.

View Lamar as a girl name →

Similar Names

Omer Lamont Amor Umar Amir Amar Jamar Anwar

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lamar

What does the name Lamar mean?

"of the sea, of the lake" (from Old French). "from the pool or marsh" (from Old French). Lamar is a French surname turned given name, derived from the French phrase 'de la mare' meaning 'of the sea' or 'of the pool/lake.' It was common as an aristocratic French family name and was carried to the American South, where it was adopted as a first name. In the 19th century, it gained prestige through prominent Southern figures like Senator Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II of Mississippi.

What is the origin of the name Lamar?

Lamar has Old French, African American, French, American, and Southern US origins. In Old French, it means "of the sea, of the lake". In Old French, it means "from the pool or marsh".

Is Lamar a boy or girl name?

Lamar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1517. As a girl name, it is ranked #6615. Lamar is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Lamar?

Lamar is pronounced l-uhm-AHR.

How popular is the name Lamar?

Lamar is currently ranked #1517 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Lamar?

Common nicknames for Lamar include Mar and Lam.

What are good middle names for Lamar?

Popular middle name pairings include Lamar James, Lamar Anthony, Lamar Marcus, Lamar Deon, and Lamar Robert.

What are good sibling names for Lamar?

Names that pair well with Lamar as siblings include Marcus, Jada, Deon, Imani, and Kendrick.

How many syllables does Lamar have?

Lamar has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Lamar a common or rare name?

Lamar is an uncommon name, ranked #1517 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Lamar

Lamar is a boy name with African American, French, American, and Southern US origins . The name means "of the sea, of the lake" in Old French .

Is Lamar a boy or girl name? Lamar is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,517 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,615. Lamar is more commonly used as a boy name.

Lamar is currently ranked #1,517 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Lamar has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-uhm-AHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Lamar include Mar and Lam. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.