Laura
English
Meaning
Its source is laurus, a Latin name meaning "The bay, or laurel, plant."
Meaning
The laurel tree or sweet bay tree symbolic of honor and victory. Old name with many variants.
Languages used in
This girl's name is used in German, Dutch, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Finnish, Polish and Czech.
Background story
In the ancient world, laurel leaves were used to fashion the crowns of victorious athletes, poets and soldiers.
As the Roman poet Ovid explains, this practice had its origins in the story of the god Apollo's pursuit of the beautiful nymph Daphne. Scorning his advances, she ran from him until he overcame her. She called on Peneus the river god for help, and he transformed her into a laurel tree.
Apollo still loved her, and took her leaves as his special symbol. As he was the god of poetry, music, science and just about every other human accomplishment, laurel crowns came to be used to adorn Apollo's champions.
Find similar names to Laura
Statistics for the name Laura (female)
- In USA in 2006, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 172 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2005, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 147 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2004, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 129 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2003, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 125 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In USA in 2002, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 106 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2005, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 2 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2004, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 3 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2003, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 5 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2002, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 4 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2001, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 8 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 2000, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 7 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1999, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 7 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1998, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 9 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1997, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 12 on the most popular name for newborn babies
- In Denmark in 1996, the girl name Laura was ranked as number 12 on the most popular name for newborn babies