Laura
Girl name · 21,270 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Laura: 21,270 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 1,266 births in 1985.
Of Latin origin, Laura derives from *laurus*, meaning "laurel" – a symbol of victory, honour, and poetic achievement in ancient Rome, where laurel wreaths crowned emperors and poets alike. The name was popularised across Europe by the 14th-century Italian poet Petrarch, who devoted over 300 sonnets to his muse, Laura de Noves, immortalising her beauty and virtue. Notable bearers include the American author Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose *Little House* books evoke pioneer life, and former First Lady Laura Bush, a literacy advocate. Places sharing this root include the village of Laurel in Scotland and the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania. A perennial favourite in Scotland since the 1970s, Laura consistently ranks within the top 100 girls' names, often considered a classic alternative to its more phonetic variant, Lara.
Girl 52 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19851,266 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #21717 babies
- Total births
- 21,270since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 33%vs prior 5y