The story behind Laura
From Late Latin saint's name Laura, from the feminine form of laurus (“laurel tree”). A post-classical name made famous by Petrarch's sonnets to Laura in the fourteenth century.
Other language forms and explanations (8)
Czech entry
Borrowed from Latin Laura.
Finnish entry
From Latin Laura, from laurus (“laurel tree”). The name was popular by Petrarch, but long remained rare in Germany, and considered a 'fadlike' name in Sweden as well. Since the name was however popular in England and Wales, it may have also been influenced by English Laura.
German entry
From Latin Laura.
Italian entry
Borrowed from Latin Laura.
Polish entry
Learned borrowing from Latin Laura.
Portuguese entry
Borrowed from Latin Laura.
Spanish entry
From Latin Laura.
Estonian entry
From Latin Laura.
Pronunciation
General-American: /lɑːɹə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- General-American: /lɔːɹə/
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈlɔːɹə/
- Czech: [ˈlau̯ra]
- Finnish: /ˈlɑu̯rɑ/
- Finnish: [ˈlɑ̝u̯rɑ̝]
- German: [ˈlaʊ̯ʁa]
- Italian: /ˈlaw.ra/
- Polish: /ˈlaw.ra/
- Portuguese; Brazil: /ˈlaw.ɾɐ/
- Portuguese; Brazil: [ˈlaʊ̯.ɾɐ]
- Portuguese; Portugal: /ˈlaw.ɾɐ/
- Spanish: /ˈlauɾa/
- Spanish: [ˈlau̯.ɾa]
- Estonian: /ˈlɑu̯rɑ/
- Estonian: [ˈlɑu̯rɑ]
Popularity
Laura ranked #379 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Laura
Lára
Borrowed from Latin Laura, from the feminine form of laurus (“laurel tree”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Leona
From Leon + -a.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lora
A female given name from Latin, an alternative spelling of Laura.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Luca
Borrowed from Italian Luca, from Latin Lūcās, from Ancient Greek Λουκᾶς (Loukâs), hypocoristic of Λούκιος (Loúkios) (from Latin Lūcius m) or Λουκανός (Loukanós) or both with…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Luisa
From Old French Louise, feminine of Louis.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Luna
From Middle English lune, luna (“the moon”), from Latin lūna/Lūna, from Proto-Indo-European *lówksneh₂. Doublet of Lua and Roxane. From Latin Luna. Learned borrowing from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Laura
Æmile
From Latin Aemilius. See also French Émile.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Balbina
Learned borrowing from Latin Balbina.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Balbino
Borrowed from Latin Balbīnus.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Laura
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length