Lauren is a feminine given name of Latin origin that means "laurel". In ancient Rome, laurel was a sacred tree associated with the god Apollo and his oracle at Delphi. The leaves of the laurel tree were used to create wreaths or crowns for victorious athletes and poets, symbolizing triumph and success. Therefore, the name Lauren is often associated with these positive qualities.
The name Lauren has been popular in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century. It gained popularity in part due to its use by celebrities such as Lauren Bacall, a renowned American actress known for her distinctive husky voice and glamorous film roles during Hollywood's golden age.
Lauren was also used by the author Lauren Child, who created the popular children's book series "Charlie and Lola". The series features illustrations of Lauren herself as a young girl, which helped to further popularize the name among parents looking for unique and creative names for their daughters.
In some cases, Lauren may be considered a unisex name, as it has also been used occasionally for boys. However, its primary association is with females, particularly in English-speaking countries where it has consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular girl names since the 1940s.
Overall, the name Lauren carries a positive connotation due to its Latin origins and associations with success, triumph, and creativity. Its popularity in recent decades can be attributed to several notable figures who have borne the name, as well as its ease of pronunciation and memorability.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Lauren in the United States from 1924 to 2023.
From 1924 to 1956, the number of births with the name Lauren remained relatively low, ranging from 6 to 934. However, starting from 1957, there was a significant increase in the popularity of this name. In that year alone, there were 1,306 births with the name Lauren.
The peak of popularity for the name Lauren occurred between 1978 and 1982. During these years, the number of births with this name reached its highest levels: from 3,670 in 1978 to a staggering 12,944 in 1983.
After 1983, the popularity of the name Lauren began to decline gradually but steadily. By 1995, there were only 13,444 births with this name, and by 2007, that number had fallen below half its peak at 7,435.
From 2008 onwards, the popularity of Lauren continued to decrease further. In 2022, for instance, there were only 987 births with this name recorded in the United States.
In total, between 1924 and 2023, there have been 473,898 births with the name Lauren recorded in the US. Despite its decline in recent years, Lauren remains a classic and timeless name choice for parents looking for an enduring and recognizable name for their daughters.