The name Laurence is of Latin origin and means "from Laurentum," which was an ancient Roman city located in Italy. The name is derived from the Latin word "laurus," meaning "laurel," a type of evergreen tree that was sacred to the Roman god Apollo.
Laurence has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, although it was more commonly used for boys during this time period. However, in recent years, Laurence has become increasingly popular as a girls' name as well. Some famous individuals with the name Laurence include Laurence Olivier, a renowned British actor, and Laurence Fishburne, an American actor known for his role in "The Matrix" films.
Throughout history, the name Laurence has been associated with several important figures in Christianity. Saint Laurence was one of the seven deacons of Rome who were martyred during the reign of Emperor Valerian around 258 AD. He is said to have distributed the church's wealth to the poor before his martyrdom and is considered a patron saint of librarians, archivists, and comedians.
Overall, Laurence is a name with a rich history and meaningful origin that has been worn by many notable individuals throughout the centuries. Whether used for a boy or girl, Laurence is a strong and distinctive name that carries a touch of ancient Roman elegance.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Laurence has seen a varied number of births in the United States over the past century and a half. The earliest data point we have is from 1890, with five births that year. This number remained relatively stable throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with most years seeing between five to nine births.
There were peaks in popularity around World War I, with ten births recorded in 1918 and sixteen in 1919. The name's popularity seemed to wane slightly during the Great Depression era of the 1930s, with only six or seven births per year between 1929 and 1938.
However, Laurence made a comeback post-World War II, with eleven births in 1952. This trend continued into the 1960s and 70s, with the name being given to around six to nine newborns per year. There was another peak in popularity during the late 80s and early 90s, with eight or more births each year from 1988 to 1990.
More recently, Laurence has seen a resurgence since 2018, with six births that year, followed by five births each year until 2021. In total, there have been 490 recorded births of the name Laurence in the United States over the past century and a half. This demonstrates that while Laurence may not have been consistently popular throughout history, it has remained a steadily present choice for parents naming their children.
These statistics can be interpreted as showing the enduring appeal of the name Laurence, even if its popularity has waxed and waned over time. They also highlight how the number of births of any given name can reflect broader historical trends and events.