The name Lamar is of African origin, specifically from the Mandinka people of West Africa. It means "higher" or "loftier" in their language. The name has been popularized in Western culture by various notable individuals such as Lamar University, named after Mirabeau B. Lamar, a former president of the Republic of Texas; and Lamar Odom, a professional basketball player.
The name Lamar is believed to have originated from the Mandinka people's reverence for heights and elevated positions. It reflects their appreciation for leadership, power, and prestige. The name has also been adopted by other African cultures and has since spread throughout the world.
Historically, the name Lamar gained prominence during the Texas Revolution in the 19th century when Mirabeau B. Lamar served as the second president of the Republic of Texas from 1838 to 1841. He was a vocal advocate for education and played a significant role in establishing public schools in Texas.
Today, the name Lamar is still used among African-American families and has become more widespread due to its association with successful individuals like Lamar Odom. Despite its growing popularity, the name Lamar remains deeply rooted in its African heritage, carrying with it the connotation of elevation and prestige.
The name Lamar experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half, with a substantial increase starting around the late 1960s. Between 1882 and 1966, the number of births per year rarely exceeded 50, with some years even having fewer than 10 births. However, from 1967 onwards, there was a notable surge in popularity, reaching over 300 births per year by 1970. This trend continued until it peaked at 737 births in 1989.
After the late 1980s, the popularity of the name Lamar began to decline, with fewer than 500 births per year from 1992 onwards. Despite this decrease, the name remained somewhat popular, with around 200-400 births per year up until the mid-2000s.
More recently, there has been a further decline in the popularity of the name Lamar, with fewer than 300 births recorded each year since 2006. The most recent data available shows that only 135 babies were named Lamar in 2023. Overall, from 1882 to 2023, there have been a total of 33,723 births with the name Lamar.