The girl's name Laura \la(u)-ra\ is pronounced LAW-rah, LOR-ah. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "the bay, or laurel plant". In classical times, a crown was made from the leaves of the bay laurel for heroes or victors as a symbol of honor and victory. The poet Petrarch addressed his sonnets to a Laura. Also made famous as the name of the heroine of the 1940s film "Laura". Laura was also a character on "Little House on the Prarie" from Little House Books. See also Liora. Actresses Laura Dern, Laura Linney; singer Laura Brannigan; First Lady Laura Bush.

ORIGIN
Latin

MEANING
Crowned with laurel

Feminine form of the late Latin name, Laurus, meaning "laurel." The leaves of laurel trees were used to make victors' garlands in ancient Rome. May also be a variation of Lawrence. Hisotrical namesakes include Saint Laura, a 9th-century Spanish martyr and nun who was thrown into a vat of molten lead by the Moors, and Laura Secord, a Canadian heroine during the War of 1812. A name that has ranked within the top 100 for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries, many of those years peaking in the top 20. Its also known for famed author during the 1930s and 1940s, Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the series of historical fiction books for children based on her pioneer childhood which led to the long-running television show, "Little House on the Prairie," starring Melissa Gilbert as "Laura Ingalls." The name was inspired during the 1980s for fictional duo "Luke and Laura," the signature supercouple of the soap opera, General Hospital. Their marriage on the show in 1981 attracted 30 million viewers, making it the highest-rated hour in soap opera history.

VARIATIONS
Lauren Lauro Lawrence

ALTERNATIVES
Loura Lawrea Lawra Laure Lawrah Laurah

FAMOUS Lauras
Laura Bush (First Lady)

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