Girl name · Latin
Laurel
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: bay tree, a symbol of victoryLaurel is a girl's name that comes from Latin and means "bay tree, a symbol of victory". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Bay tree, a symbol of victory
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #734 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Laurel
As a girl's name, Laurel comes from Latin and means "bay tree, a symbol of victory". It is used in English.
Its meaning puts Laurel on our nature names list.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Laurel on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Laurel on 4 lists.
“Bay tree, symbol of victory; Latin. Classic and calm”
From Girl middle names, flower and nature middle names
“English word name for the evergreen bay tree of victors' wreaths”
From Nature names, tree and forest names
“Bay tree, a symbol of victory; Latin, worn as a crown by winners”
From Unique girl names, unique nature names for girls
“Bay tree of victory; Latin. Victory wreaths were made from it”
From Vintage girl names, vintage flower, plant and gemstone names
How popular is Laurel?
- US rank in 2025
- #734
- 372 babies, 231 per million girls
- Best rank
- #241 in 1956
- 1,181 babies that year
- Babies since 1883
- At least 47,113
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 32 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 44 per million |
| 1900s | 37 per million |
| 1910s | 45 per million |
| 1920s | 120 per million |
| 1930s | 143 per million |
| 1940s | 338 per million |
| 1950s | 491 per million |
| 1960s | 349 per million |
| 1970s | 263 per million |
| 1980s | 285 per million |
| 1990s | 242 per million |
| 2000s | 186 per million |
| 2010s | 207 per million |
| 2020s | 252 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #643 | #598 | #622 | #728 | #686 | #638 | #711 | #716 | #729 | #734 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Laurel
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- LaureLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- LauraLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- LauriePet form of Laura or Laurence, linked to laurel (Latin, unisex)
Names with a similar meaning
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- NicoleVictory of the people (Greek, girl)
- OliverOlive tree (Latin, boy)
- ViktoriaVictory, triumph (Latin, girl)
- BereniceBringing victory (Greek, girl)
- KlausVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NicoVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- VeronikaBringing victory (Latin, girl)
- ColetteVictory of the people (Greek, girl)
- DaphneLaurel tree (Greek, girl)
Middle names for Laurel
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Latin
- CarinaDear, beloved (Latin, girl)
- EmiliaRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
- FloraFlower, blossom (Latin, girl)
- MarinaOf the sea (Latin, girl)
- ReginaQueen (Latin, girl)
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
- CelesteHeavenly, of the sky (Latin, girl)
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
- DianaDivine, heavenly (Latin, girl)
- JulianaFeminine form of Julian, from the Roman family name Julius (Latin, girl)
Laurel: common questions
What does the name Laurel mean?
Laurel comes from Latin and means "bay tree, a symbol of victory".
Is Laurel a boy or girl name?
Laurel is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Laurel come from?
Laurel comes from Latin and means "bay tree, a symbol of victory". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Laurel?
Laurel ranked #734 in the US in 2025, with 372 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Laurel?
Names spelled like Laurel include Laure, Laura and Laurie.
What middle names go with Laurel?
Middle names that flow well with Laurel include Bess, Eve, Faith, Holly and Jean. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.