"son of Lars (son of Lawrence)"
Larson
Pronunciation: [ l-AHRS-uhn ]
A Scandinavian heritage surname with modern first-name appeal
Meaning & Origin
"from Laurentum (city of laurels)"
The Story of Larson
Larson is a Scandinavian patronymic surname meaning 'son of Lars,' where Lars itself is the Scandinavian form of Lawrence, derived from the Latin Laurentius ('from Laurentum,' a city in ancient Italy associated with laurel wreaths). Like Carson, Mason, and Hudson, Larson follows the American trend of giving children strong surname-style first names that evoke heritage and distinction.
Larson has been steadily gaining ground as a first name in the United States, fueled by the broader trend of using surnames as given names. The name benefits from its association with Gary Larson (Far Side cartoonist) and actress Brie Larson, giving it a creative, accomplished feel.
In Scandinavian countries, -son surnames (Larson, Johansson, Eriksson) were traditionally patronymic — meaning the son's last name changed with each generation. This system was replaced by fixed surnames in the 19th century, but these names retain their Nordic character.
Fun Facts
- Gary Larson is the creator of 'The Far Side,' one of the most beloved comic strips of the 20th century
- Brie Larson (born Brianne Desaulniers) took a stage name that shares this Scandinavian sound
- In Sweden, Larsson is one of the most common surnames, carried by an estimated 93,000 people
Larson in Other Languages
Famous People Named Larson
Stieg Larsson
Writer
1954
Swedish journalist and author of the Millennium trilogy, including 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'
Gary Larson
Artist
1950
American cartoonist and creator of 'The Far Side,' one of the most widely syndicated comic strips in history
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,468
- Total SSA Count
- 56
- Cultural Origins
- American Scandinavian Norwegian Swedish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Larson is also used as a girl name, ranked #10591.
View Larson as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Larson
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About the Name Larson
Larson is a boy name with American, Scandinavian, Norwegian, and Swedish origins . The name means "son of Lars (son of Lawrence)" in Scandinavian .
Is Larson a boy or girl name? Larson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,468 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #10,591. Larson is more commonly used as a boy name.
Larson is currently ranked #2,468 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Larson has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-AHRS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Larson include Lars and Lar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Larson include Lars . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.