
The short answer
Laura is a feminine name used in English and Spanish. Behind the Name describes it this way: "From Latin laurus meaning ‘laurel’. This meaning was favourable, since in ancient Rome the leaves of laurel trees were used to create victors' garlands." It ranked #379 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, from Latin laurus meaning ‘laurel’. This meaning was favourable, since in ancient Rome the leaves of laurel trees were used to create victors' garlands. The entry lists its usage as English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and others.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Laura ranked #379 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #379 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Laura in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Laura mean?
Laura means "laurel", according to Behind the Name.
Is Laura a popular name?
Laura ranked #379 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Laura a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Laura appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Laura — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.