Lauraine is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the male name Lauren, which itself comes from the Latin word "laurus," meaning "bay tree." The bay tree was sacred to the Roman goddess of wisdom and poetry, Minerva, and was also associated with the Greek hero Hercules.
In medieval times, Lauraine was often used as a female form of the name Laurence, which was popular among Christians due to its association with Saint Laurence, an early Christian martyr. The name gained popularity in France during this period, where it was spelled "Laurence" or "Lauraine."
Over time, Lauraine has evolved into a distinct feminine given name, although it is still sometimes used as a male name in some parts of the world. Today, it is most commonly found in French-speaking countries and among French-speaking communities around the world.
While Lauraine does not have a specific meaning or association like many other names, its origin and history make it a unique and elegant choice for a girl's name. Its roots in Latin and Roman mythology give it a sense of strength and wisdom, while its medieval Christian associations lend it a touch of nobility and grace.
The name Lauraine has seen a varied number of births over the years in the United States. In the early 20th century, its popularity was quite low with only five births recorded in 1906. However, it seemed to gain some traction during World War I as there were nine births each year from 1916 to 1918.
The name's popularity reached a peak in the 1920s and early 1930s with 20 births recorded in 1923, which was its highest number of occurrences during that period. This trend continued until 1934 when there were thirteen births. After this period, Lauraine's popularity started to decline, with less than ten births per year until the late 1940s.
There was a resurgence in the 1950s and early 1960s with peaks of twenty-one births in 1959 and eighteen births in 1961. However, this popularity did not sustain for long as it declined again towards the end of the 1960s.
From the 1970s onwards, Lauraine's popularity seemed to have stabilized with five or six births per year until the mid-1980s when there were only five births recorded. Overall, from 1906 to 1983, a total of 756 babies named Lauraine were born in the United States.
It is interesting to note that while Lauraine has not been one of the most popular names over the years, it has maintained a consistent presence in the naming landscape of the United States. This could reflect a certain uniqueness or perhaps a preference for lesser-known names among parents who chose Lauraine for their daughters during these periods.