Laura - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Laura \la(u)-ra\ is pronounced LAW-rah, LOR-ah. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "the bay, or laurel plant". In classical times, a crown was made from the leaves of the bay laurel for heroes or victors as a symbol of honor and victory. The poet Petrarch addressed his sonnets to a Laura. Also made famous as the name of the heroine of the 1940s film "Laura". Laura was also a character on "Little House on the Prarie" from Little House Books. See also Liora. Actresses Laura Dern, Laura Linney; singer Laura Brannigan; First Lady Laura Bush.

Laura has 59 variant forms: Lauraine, Lauralee, Laralyn, Laranca, Larea, Lari, Lauralee, Laurana, Laure, Laureen, Laurel, Laurella, Lauren, Laurena, Laurence, Laurene, Laurentia, Laurentine, Laurestine, Lauretha, Lauretta, Laurette, Lauri, Lauriane, Laurianne, Laurice, Lauricia, Laurie, Laurina, Laurinda, Laurine, Laurita, Laurnea, Lavra, Lawra, Lollie, Lolly, Lora, Loree, Loreen, Loren, Lorena, Lorene, Lorenza, Loretta, Lorette, Lorey, Lori, Lorie, Lorinda, Lorine, Lorita, Lorna, Lorretta, Lorrette, Lorri, Lorrie, Lorry and Lory.

For more information, see also related names Lorelle and Lorraine.

Baby names that sound like Laura are Lara, Larra and Lura.

Laura is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Laura. Click here to compare Laura with related baby names.