Meaning & History
Laurel is a given name ultimately derived from the name of the laurel tree, from Latin laurus. The name is of English origin, though it has cognates in many European languages. In classical antiquity, the laurel was sacred to Apollo and used to crown victors and poets; thus the name Laurel, along with related names like Laura and Laure, carries connotations of honor, achievement, and fame. The Latin root laurus also gives us the English word “laureate,” particularly in the phrase “poet laureate.”
Laurel is a unisex given name, used for both boys and girls, though it is somewhat more common for girls in English-speaking countries. Variants include Laurelle and Lorelle, while related forms in other languages include Laura (Swedish), Laure (French), Laurine (French), Laurette (French), Laurie (French), and Lára (Icelandic). It is occasionally conflated with or linked to the Germanic name Lorelei (meaning “luring rock”), due to phonetic similarity, though the origins are distinct.
Etymology
The Latin word laurus likely has its origins in an ancient Mediterranean language, possibly Etruscan or a pre-Indo-European substrate. The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis) is native to the Mediterranean region and has been culturally significant since antiquity. In ancient Greece, laurel wreaths were awarded to winners of the Pythian Games held in honor of Apollo, a tradition later adopted by the Romans for triumphs and imperial honors. The Christian symbolism of the laurel as a sign of victory over death also contributed to its adoption as a given name.
Cultural Significance
In English naming tradition, nature names—including floral, arboreal, and gemstone names—became fashionable as given names during the Victorian era, as part of a broader interest in naturalistic and sentimental meanings. Laurel fits into this category alongside names like Rose, Lily, Ivy, Hazel, and Holly. Unlike some other nature names that declined in use in the later 20th century, Laurel has maintained a steady, if modest, presence.
The name appears occasionally in fiction, for example in Shakespeare's plays where it is used as a personal name or allusion. More visually, the term “laurel wreath” is an enduring symbol of academic, athletic, and military achievement.
Notable Bearers
- Laurel Aitken (1927–2005), pioneering Jamaican singer known as the “Godfather of Ska”
- Laurel Burch (1945–2007), American artist and designer of whimsical cat motifs
- Laurel Broten (born c. 1967), Canadian politician and former Ontario minister
- Laurel Clark (1961–2003), American NASA astronaut who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
- Laurel Holloman (born 1971), American actress, known for The L Word
- Laurel & Hardy:: the stage name of Stan Laurel, one half of the famous comedy duo; though Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson) used it as a surname, the name’s association persists
In fiction, Laurel Lance (better known as Black Canary) appears in DC Comics and the TV series Arrow.
Key Facts
- Meaning: “laurel tree, victory, honor”
- Origin: English (from Latin laurus)
- Type: First name, unisex
- Usage regions: English-speaking world
- Related names: Laura, Laure, Laurie, Lauren, Lorraine
- Distinct from: Lorelei
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Laurel (given name)