Lauren Name Meaning

Lauren is a name of French origin typically given to children of any gender. No one can quite settle on what the name Lauren means. It has been interpreted to mean “wisdom” or “laurel plant.” The name is derived from the French name Laurence, which is thought to also have been derived from the Roman surname Laurentius.

Interestingly, Laurentius is also derived from Laurentum an ancient Italian city that got its name from Laurus, which means “bay laurel.” Lauren is also a common surname in some parts of the world. One of the most famous people with the last name Lauren is Ralph Lauren. 

Although the name is currently unisex, it was traditionally a male name. Its popularity as a female name is thought to be attributed to the American actress, Lauren Bacall. Lauren is also considered to be a feminine form of the traditionally masculine name Lawrence. In French, Lauren means “crowned with laurel.” 

How Popular is the Name Lauren? 

Lauren enjoyed the most popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. From the early 1980s until 2006, the name remained on the top 25 list of most popular names in the United States. Although Lauren isn’t as popular as it used to be, it remains a fairly desirable name. 

Traditionally, Lauren started as a masculine name, but it is more often used as a girl’s name in recent times. According to 2020 data from the Social Security Administration, Lauren is the 232nd most popular name for girls in the United States.

The name, however, isn’t even in the top 1000 most popular names for boys. The name peaked in popularity in 1989 when 21,198 babies were named Lauren that year. The name has since dipped in popularity, and in 2019 only 1,512 babies were named Lauren. 

Name Variations 

Many variations for the name Lauren exist in other languages and cultures. Some of the most popular include: 

• Laura
• Laurena
• Laurens (Dutch)
• Laurentia (Ancient Romanian)
• Laurie
• Lauryn 
• Laryn
• Loren 
• Lorens (Swedish) 
• Lorin
• Lorrin

If you are thinking of picking a variation to the name it’s important to remember that Lauren has many definitions in many traditions. Make sure that the variation you pick doesn’t mean something you wish it didn't.

Similar Names

Lauren is a classic name for your child. If you want to consider other names before making a decision, here are several names that begin with the letter L.

• Lacey
• Lara
• Lauretta
• Layla
• Liliana 
• Lilly
• Lisbet
• Lola
• Luna
• Lyra

Here are other French names to consider:

• Aimee
• Camille
• Chanel
• Fleur
• Genevieve
• Lourdes
• Margot
• Nicolette
• Simone
• Zoe

Suggested Sibling Names 

Looking for a sibling name for Lauren? Here are some popular options:

• Aaron
• Antoinette 
• Arthur
• Bernadette
• Charles
• Danielle
• Gabrielle
• Hugo
• Jean
• Joseph
• Lawrence 
• Louise
• Marie
• Marc
• Paul
• Samuel
• Thomas
• Victor

Famous People Named Lauren    

If you are thinking of naming your baby Lauren, here are few famous people who would also be sharing the name with your child. 

• Lauren Ackerman, American physician, and pathologist 
• Lauren Barnes, American soccer player 
• Lauren Bush, American model 
• Lauren Child, English author, and illustrator 
• Lauren Cohan, American actress, and model  
• Lauren Crandall, American hockey player 
• Lauren Davis, American professional tennis player 
• Lauren Donner, American film producer 
• Lauren Graham, American actress 
• Lauren Harris, British rock singer 
• Lauren Holiday, American professional soccer player 
• Lauren Jackson, Australian basketball player 
• Lauren Kleppin, American long-distance runner 
• Lauren London, American actress 
• Lauren Nelson, beauty queen, and holder of the Miss America title in 2007 
• Lauren Quigley, British singer 
• Lauren Scott, American LGBT activist 
• Lauren Underwood, American politician 
• Lauren Weisberger, American novelist and writer of the bestseller “The Devil Wears Prada” 
• Lauren Woodland, American actress