Lars is a Scandinavian name of Norse origin that has been used throughout the region for centuries. It is derived from the Old Norse word "larr," which means "shore" or "bank." The name Lars was particularly popular among the Vikings, who often chose names related to nature and their environment.
In Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, Lars has long been a common given name for males. It is often used in combination with other names to create compound names like Lars-Erik or Lars-Olof. In some cases, Lars may also be used as a surname, particularly in Scandinavian countries where patronymic naming practices were once prevalent.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures named Lars. One of the most famous is Lars von Trier, a Danish film director known for his avant-garde and controversial films. Another well-known Lars is Lars Sullivan, an American professional wrestler with WWE.
Despite its historical popularity in Scandinavia, Lars has not been as widely used outside of this region. However, it can still be found among communities with Scandinavian heritage or those who simply appreciate the name's unique sound and meaning. Overall, Lars remains a distinctive and meaningful name choice for parents looking to honor their Scandinavian roots or simply give their child a strong, nature-inspired name.
The name Lars has a rich history of usage in the United States, with records dating back to at least 1883 when seven babies were named Lars according to birth statistics.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the popularity of the name remained relatively low but steady. Between 1883 and 1922, there were an average of about five births per year with the name Lars. However, starting in 1923, we began to see a slight increase in its usage, with an average of around ten births per year up until the end of World War II.
The post-war period brought a significant rise in popularity for the name Lars. Between 1945 and 1960, there were approximately forty births per year on average, marking a notable increase from previous decades. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with an average of around eighty births per year during these two decades.
The peak of popularity for the name Lars occurred between 1983 and 2002. During this period, there were consistently over one hundred births per year with the name Lars, reaching a high point of 127 births in both 2000 and 2002.
After the early 2000s, the popularity of the name Lars began to decline gradually but steadily. Between 2003 and 2022, there were an average of around eighty-five births per year with the name Lars, although this figure has been dropping in recent years, reaching a low point of fifty-nine births in 2021.
In total, from 1883 to 2022, there have been 6,883 babies named Lars at birth in the United States. This long history and varying levels of popularity demonstrate that while not always among the most common names, Lars has maintained a consistent presence throughout American naming trends over the past century and a half.