Laura facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laura
Laurel wreaths are traditionally a symbol of honor and victory.
Pronunciation	LOR-ə;
Gender	Female
Name day	April 18, October 19
Origin
Word/Name	Italy
Meaning	Bay Laurel
Place of origin	Latin Europe
Other names
Related names	Lauraina, Lauraine, Laure, Lauren, Lauranna, Lauriana (or Laurianna), Laurie, Lori, Laurel, Lara, Lora, Larissa, Laurissa, Laureen Laurentius
Laura de Noves, the subject of love poetry by Petrarch

The name Laura is a popular female name that comes from Latin Europe. It means "Bay Laurel," which is a type of plant. In ancient times, like the Greco-Roman era, the bay laurel plant was a special symbol. It stood for victory, fame, or honor.

This name has been used for many years. In places like British North America, it was very popular for baby girls a long time ago. Its popularity changed over time, going up and down, but it's still a well-known name today. Many famous people around the world are named Laura!

What Does the Name Laura Mean?

The name Laura comes from the Latin word laurus. This word means "bay laurel plant." Long ago, in the Greco-Roman era, people used the bay laurel as a symbol. It meant victory, honor, or fame.

So, the name Laura represents ideas like winning and being strong. It's a name with a powerful and positive meaning.

How Popular is the Name Laura?

The name Laura has been popular for a long time, especially for girls. In the United States, it was very common in the late 1800s. It was often one of the top 40 names for baby girls.

After that, its popularity went down for a while. But then, in the 1960s and 1980s, it became very popular again. For example, in 1969, it was one of the top 10 names for girls. Since the 1980s, its popularity has slowly gone down, but it's still a well-known name.

In Europe, the name Laura is still very popular. In the early 2000s, it was a top 10 name in many countries. These included Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, and Spain.

Sometimes, people might confuse Laura with the name Lara. But these are two different names. They are usually listed separately on popularity charts.

Different Ways to Say or Spell Laura

Names often have different forms or spellings in various languages. Here are some ways the name Laura appears around the world:

• Lára: In Icelandic
• Lara: In Turkish
• Laoura (Λάουρα): In Greek
• Laura: This is the most common spelling and is used in many languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, German, and French.
• Laure: In French
• Lavra: In Slovene
• Lora: In English and Bulgarian
• Lowri: In Welsh

Famous People Named Laura

Many people throughout history and today have the name Laura. Here are a few examples:

Religion

• Saint Laura: A Spanish martyr, a person who died for her beliefs.

Academics

• Laura Schulz: A professor who studies how people think and learn at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Laura Waller: A professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley.

Artists

• Laura Rodig (1901-1972): A Chilean artist who was a painter, sculptor, and illustrator.

Celebrities and Business Leaders

• Laura Ashley: A famous British fashion designer.
• Laura Biagiotti: An Italian fashion designer.
• Laura Deming: An American businesswoman.
• Laura Mercier: A French make-up artist who created her own cosmetics brand.
• Laura de Noves: A noblewoman who was the subject of famous love poems by Petrarch.
• Laura Secord: A Canadian heroine known for her bravery during the War of 1812.

Entertainers

• Laura Allen: An American actress.
• Laura Bailey (voice actress): An American voice actress known for many animated shows and video games.
• Laura Benanti: An American actress.
• Laura Branigan: A popular American singer.
• Laura Dern: A well-known American actress.
• Laura Linney: An American actress.
• Laura Marano: An American actress and singer.
• Laura Pausini: A famous Italian singer-songwriter.
• Laura Prepon: An American actress, known for That '70s Show.
• Laura Vandervoort: A Canadian actress.

Law and Politics

• Laura Bush: The First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009.
• Laura Chinchilla: The 49th President of Costa Rica.
• Laura Kelly: The 48th governor of Kansas.
• Laura Miller: The 58th Mayor of Dallas from 2002 to 2007.

Science and Technology

• Laura Bassi: An important physicist from the 18th century.

Sports

• Laura Dahlmeier: A German biathlete (a sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting).
• Laura Davies: A famous English golfer.
• Laura Kenny: A British cyclist who has won many Olympic medals.
• Laura Robson: A British tennis player.
• Laura Zeng: An American rhythmic gymnast.

Writers and Journalists

• Laura Ingalls Wilder: A beloved American author who wrote the "Little House on the Prairie" books.
• Laura Kuenssberg: A well-known BBC political correspondent.
• Laura Ling: An American journalist.

See also

• In Spanish: Laura (desambiguación) para niños