"from Laurentum, the laurel city"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Lauren
Pronunciation: [ l-AWR-uhn ]
Girl Name
#351 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A Hollywood-coined laurel-crown name with golden-age glamour
English
American
Classic
Elegant
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"laurel, symbol of victory"
Origin: Latin (laurus)
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with fashion designer Ralph Lauren — may feel brand-linked to some parents
The Story of Lauren
Lauren is a modern feminine form derived from Laurentius, the Latin name meaning from Laurentum — an ancient town near Rome. Symbolically, it connects to the laurel tree (laurus), which in ancient Rome was woven into victory wreaths for emperors, generals, and athletes. Lauren as a feminine given name is largely a 20th-century creation, popularized by actress Lauren Bacall who invented it as her stage name in 1944 at age 19.
Lauren peaked in US popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, driven partly by Lauren Bacall's enduring Hollywood glamour and a broader fashion for sleek, one-word feminine names. It ranked in the US top 10 for much of that decade. It has since declined substantially but remains recognizable across all ages.
The laurel tree was sacred to Apollo and used to crown victors in ancient Greek and Roman culture — the origin of the word laureate, as in poet laureate. Lauren Bacall coined the name at 19 for her film debut opposite Humphrey Bogart and became one of the most iconic actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age.
Fun Facts
- Lauren Bacall, born Betty Joan Perske, invented the name Lauren herself as a teenage aspiring actress in 1944
- The word baccalaureate — the degree ceremony — literally means laurel berry, the same root as Lauren
Lauren in Other Languages
French
Laurence
German
Lauren
Italian
Lorena
Spanish
Laura
Famous People Named Lauren
L
Lauren Conrad
Entertainer
1986
American TV personality from The Hills (2006-2010), turned fashion designer and bestselling author
L
Lauryn Hill
Musician
1975
American singer-rapper who won five Grammy Awards in one night for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), including Alb...
American singer-rapper who won five Grammy Awards in one night for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), including Album of the Year
L
Lauren Bacall
Actor
1924
American actress and model known for her distinctive husky voice and iconic roles opposite Humphrey Bogart; one of Holly...
American actress and model known for her distinctive husky voice and iconic roles opposite Humphrey Bogart; one of Hollywood's greatest stars
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #351
- Total SSA Count
- 879
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Laur
Laurie
Ren
Pairs Well With
Lauren Elizabeth
Lauren Marie
Lauren Anne
Lauren Grace
Lauren Nicole
Lauren Ashley
Lauren Leigh
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Lauren is also used as a boy name, ranked #42321.
View Lauren as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lauren
What does the name Lauren mean?
"from Laurentum, the laurel city" (from Latin). "laurel, symbol of victory" (from Latin (laurus)). Lauren is a modern feminine form derived from Laurentius, the Latin name meaning from Laurentum — an ancient town near Rome. Symbolically, it connects to the laurel tree (laurus), which in ancient Rome was woven into victory wreaths for emperors, generals, and athletes. Lauren as a feminine given name is largely a 20th-century creation, popularized by actress Lauren Bacall who invented it as her stage name in 1944 at age 19.
What is the origin of the name Lauren?
Lauren has Latin, Latin (laurus), English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "from Laurentum, the laurel city". In Latin (laurus), it means "laurel, symbol of victory".
Is Lauren a boy or girl name?
Lauren is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #351. As a boy name, it is ranked #42321. Lauren is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lauren?
Lauren is pronounced l-AWR-uhn.
How popular is the name Lauren?
Lauren is currently ranked #351 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lauren?
Common nicknames for Lauren include Laur, Laurie, and Ren.
What are good middle names for Lauren?
Popular middle name pairings include Lauren Elizabeth, Lauren Marie, Lauren Anne, Lauren Grace, Lauren Nicole, Lauren Ashley, and Lauren Leigh.
What are good sibling names for Lauren?
Names that pair well with Lauren as siblings include Ashley, Megan, Ryan, Kyle, Brittany, Tyler, and Kaitlyn.
How many syllables does Lauren have?
Lauren has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lauren a common or rare name?
Lauren is a popular name, ranked #351 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Lauren
Lauren is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "from Laurentum, the laurel city" in Latin .
Is Lauren a boy or girl name? Lauren is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #351 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #42,321. Lauren is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lauren is currently ranked #351 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lauren has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-AWR-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lauren include Laur, Laurie, and Ren. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lauren include Laura, Laurel, Lauryn, Laurie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.