Name meaning & stats
Laura
Laura means “laurel tree” (Latin origin). 667,466 US babies since 1940, peak 1964. Notable Lauras are 1.6× over-represented as journalists.
What it means
“laurel tree”
LatinWell documented
Made famous by Petrarch's sonnets.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1964
667,466 US babies were named Laura between 1940 and 2025.
Where Lauras end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 0.9× | High · 105 people |
| Writer | 1.2× | High · 94 people |
| Politician | 0.9× | High · 57 people |
| Journalist | 1.6× | High · 54 people |
Among notable women who are journalists, Lauras show up 1.6× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Laura has a surprise career: 1.4×
Spelling family
Laura is the main spelling
- Laura 100%
- Lauria <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1964)