Lawrence is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Laurentius, which was itself derived from the Latin word laurus, meaning "laurel." The laurel plant was sacred to the Roman god Apollo and was used as a symbol of victory and success in ancient times.
The name Lawrence first appeared in Britain during the Middle Ages, when it was introduced by returning Crusaders. It became more popular after the death of Saint Lawrence, who was martyred in 258 AD. Saint Lawrence is one of the most famous early Christian martyrs, and his feast day is celebrated on August 10th.
Throughout history, there have been many notable people named Lawrence, including several saints and popes. Some of the most well-known figures include:
* Lawrence of Arabia (Thomas Edward Lawrence), a British officer who played a major role in the Arab Revolt during World War I.
* Saint Lawrence O'Toole, an Irish bishop and saint who was one of the key figures in the Gregorian reform movement.
* Lawrence, Duke of Bedford, a prominent English nobleman and military leader during the Wars of the Roses.
Today, Lawrence remains a popular name around the world. In the United States, it has consistently ranked among the top 1000 boy names since record-keeping began in the late 19th century. Variations of the name include Laurie, Larry, Lorenz, and Lorenzo, among others. Despite its long history and many notable bearers, Lawrence remains a classic and timeless name choice for boys.
According to the statistics provided, the name Lawrence has seen a varying number of births in the United States over the years. In 1961 and 1962, there were 5 babies named Lawrence each year. There was a slight increase in popularity in 1968 with 6 newborns bearing the name Lawrence. However, this increase did not last long as the number of births decreased to 5 in both 1970 and 1976. Overall, from 1961 to 1976, there were a total of 26 babies named Lawrence born in the United States.