Laurel
Meaning of Laurel
The name Laurel is a classic and elegant choice for a baby girl. Originating from the Latin word "laurus," which means "laurel tree" or "bay tree," it has strong associations with honor and victory, as laurel wreaths were historically used to crown victors in ancient Greece and Rome. Pronounced as LAWR-uhl (/ˈlɔrəl/), this name evokes images of nature and timeless beauty. Variations of the name include Lorelai and Laurelle, offering parents some flexibility while retaining its botanical charm. In the United States, Laurel has seen fluctuating popularity over the decades, peaking notably in the mid-20th century. Despite these variations in rank, it remains a beloved choice for many parents seeking a name that is both meaningful and melodious.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as LAWR-uhl (/ˈlɒrəl/)
American English
- Pronunced as LAWR-uhl (/ˈlɔrəl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Laurel
| Laurel Thatcher Ulrich is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American historian and Harvard University professor known for her focus on early American and women's history, with her book "A Midwife’s Tale" being adapted into a PBS documentary film. |
| Laurel Blair Clark was a distinguished NASA astronaut and medical doctor who tragically perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, and was posthumously honored with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. |
| Laurel Coppock is an American comedic actress known for her role as "Jan" in a series of Toyota commercials and her appearances in various TV series and TV movies. |
| Laurel Rose Willson was an American con artist and author known for her controversial books on Satanic ritual abuse and for assuming the identity of a Holocaust survivor. |
| Lorraine May Chapman, known as Laurel Lea, was a popular Australian singer in the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for her appearances on TV series and tours with other music contemporaries, before passing away from leukemia in 1992. |
| Laurel Larsen - Laurel G. Larsen is an associate professor at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in Earth Systems Science and heading the Environmental Systems Dynamics Laboratory. |
| Laurel Burch was a renowned American artist, designer, and businesswoman. |
| Laurel Goodwin was an American film and television actress known for her role as Elvis Presley's love interest in "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and as Yeoman J.M. Colt in the rejected Star Trek pilot episode "The Cage". |
| Laurel Griggs was an American child actress known for her work in Broadway theatre, as well as appearances in films and on television, including Saturday Night Live and Café Society. |
| Laurel Alison Beckett is a retired American biostatistician known for her work in Alzheimer's disease research and advocacy for women in medicine. |
