"crowned with laurels, victorious"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Larry
Pronunciation: [ l-EHR-ee ]
Does Larry flow with your last name?
The beloved mid-century classic due for a vintage comeback
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Things to Know About This Name
- Closely associated with comedians and the everyman archetype (Larry David, Larry the Cable Guy) — some may see this as too informal or comedic for a newborn
The Story of Larry
Larry is a nickname and informal form of Lawrence (or Laurence), which derives from the Latin 'Laurentius,' meaning 'from Laurentum' — an ancient city near Rome renowned for its laurel groves. Laurel wreaths symbolized victory, honor, and achievement in ancient Rome, worn by emperors and military heroes. Lawrence of Rome was a 3rd-century Christian deacon martyred in 258 AD, reportedly showing such courage during his execution that he is said to have joked 'Turn me over — I'm done on this side,' making him also the patron saint of comedians and chefs.
Larry peaked as a standalone name in the United States in the 1940s and 50s, when it consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular boy names — the equivalent of Liam or Noah today. It has fallen significantly since then but maintains warm recognition as a classic mid-century American name. Vintage name revivals (think Harold, Walter, and Gene) suggest Larry's comeback may not be far off.
In the mid-20th century, Larry was as common and friendly a name as any in America. Its roster of famous Larrys spans basketball greatness (Larry Bird), comedy royalty (Larry David), broadcast history (Larry King), and Silicon Valley (Larry Page), making it a name associated with excellence across wildly different fields.
Historical Record
Larry first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 475,342 babies have been named Larry in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Larry is past its peak , currently ranked #1,070 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Lawrence is the patron saint of chefs and comedians, making Larry one of the most uniquely comedic saints' names
- Larry Bird and Larry Page — one the greatest basketball player of his era, the other a co-founder of Google — share this simple name
- Larry was a top-10 boy name in the US every year from 1934 to 1952
Larry in Other Languages
Irish
Labhrás
French
Laurent
German
Lorenz
English
Lawrence/Larry
Italian
Lorenzo
Spanish
Lorenzo/Lorenzo
Popularity Over Time
#1,070
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Larry
L
Larry Page
Business
1973
American technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Google, one of the most transformative companies in human history
L
Larry Bird
Athlete
1956
NBA basketball legend with the Boston Celtics, three-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, and considered one of the greate...
NBA basketball legend with the Boston Celtics, three-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, and considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport
L
Larry David
Entertainer
1947
American comedian and writer, co-creator of 'Seinfeld' and creator/star of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,070
- Total SSA Count
- 204
- Cultural Origins
- American British Irish Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Lar
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Larry
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Larry is also used as a girl name, ranked #14833.
View Larry as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Larry
What does the name Larry mean?
"crowned with laurels, victorious" (from Latin). Larry is a nickname and informal form of Lawrence (or Laurence), which derives from the Latin 'Laurentius,' meaning 'from Laurentum' — an ancient city near Rome renowned for its laurel groves. Laurel wreaths symbolized victory, honor, and achievement in ancient Rome, worn by emperors and military heroes. Lawrence of Rome was a 3rd-century Christian deacon martyred in 258 AD, reportedly showing such courage during his execution that he is said to have joked 'Turn me over — I'm done on this side,' making him also the patron saint of comedians and chefs.
What is the origin of the name Larry?
Larry has Latin, American, British, Irish, and Australian origins. In Latin, it means "crowned with laurels, victorious".
Is Larry a boy or girl name?
Larry is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1070. As a girl name, it is ranked #14833. Larry is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Larry?
Larry is pronounced l-EHR-ee.
How popular is the name Larry?
Larry is currently ranked #1070 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Larry?
Common nicknames for Larry include Lar.
What are good middle names for Larry?
Popular middle name pairings include Larry James, Larry David, Larry Gene, Larry Allen, and Larry Wayne.
What are good sibling names for Larry?
Names that pair well with Larry as siblings include Gary, Barry, Terry, Susan, Sandra, and Donna.
How many syllables does Larry have?
Larry has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Larry a common or rare name?
Larry is an uncommon name, ranked #1070 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Larry
Larry is a boy name with American, British, Irish, and Australian origins . The name means "crowned with laurels, victorious" in Latin .
Is Larry a boy or girl name? Larry is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,070 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #14,833. Larry is more commonly used as a boy name.
Larry is currently ranked #1,070 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Larry has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EHR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Larry include Lar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis