Larry

Pronunciation: [ l-EHR-ee ]

Boy Name #1,070 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The beloved mid-century classic due for a vintage comeback

American British Irish Australian

Vintage Classic Playful Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"crowned with laurels, victorious"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Larry

Larry Page

Business

1973

American technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Google, one of the most transformative companies in human history

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

Larry David

Entertainer

1947

American comedian and writer, co-creator of 'Seinfeld' and creator/star of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'

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

Pairs Well With

Larry James Larry David Larry Gene Larry Allen Larry Wayne

Sibling Names

Gary Barry Terry Susan Sandra Donna

Also a Girl Name

Larry is also used as a girl name, ranked #14833.

View Larry as a girl name →

Similar Names

Henry Harry Harvey Jerry Perry Harrison Hardy Terry

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.