Laura is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It means "laurel" or "bay laurel". The bay laurel is a tree known for its leaves which are used in cooking and to make wreaths for winners as a symbol of triumph and success.
The name Laura has been popular throughout history. In ancient Rome, it was used to honor the bay laurel tree, which was sacred to Apollo, the god of light, music, and prophecy. In medieval times, it was used in France and Italy before spreading to other parts of Europe.
Laura is also a popular name in many languages around the world. In Spanish, it means "laurel". In Italian, it means "bay laurel" or "laurel tree". In German, it means "honor".
Some famous individuals named Laura include:
* Laura Ingalls Wilder, American author of the Little House series
* Laura Ashley, Welsh designer and founder of the Laura Ashley fashion brand
* Laura Marling, British folk singer-songwriter
Based on the statistics provided, Laura was a popular girls' name in the United States from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. The first peak in popularity occurred between 1886 and 1893, with an average of around 7 births per year during this period.
The name's popularity then declined slightly until it began to rise again in the early 20th century, reaching its peak between 1921 and 1935. During these years, Laura was among the top 20 girls' names each year, with an average of around 18 births per year.
From 1936 onwards, Laura's popularity began to decrease steadily until it reached its lowest point in recent years (2004-2011), with only a few births recorded annually. Despite this decline in popularity, Laura remains a classic and timeless name that has been beloved by generations of parents.
In total, there were 2579 girls named Laura born in the United States between 1882 and 2011, making it a popular choice for parents throughout much of the last century.