Origin of the Boy’s Name Laurel

The Laurel name is in reference to a bay tree, also known as a laurel, which can produce small but beautiful white, pink or yellow flowers when in full bloom. The laurel tree can be found in many places around the world, including much of Europe, America and even as far away as Japan.

Meaning of the Name

The meaning of Laurel stems from the Ancient Romans, who famously made golden laurel wreaths into crowns for royalty and people of knowledge. It is most associated with poets and students who have earned Master’s degrees. The word “laureate,” as in Nobel laureate or poet laureate, is a reference to this ancient honorary practice.

Popularity of Laurel

The popularity of Laurel is such that it is a fairly uncommon name. It did not enter the top 100 most common names in 2013 (in England).

Related Names

Related names include Laura, Lori, Lauren and Lorraine.

Famous People and Places with the Name

Famous people named Laurel include Laurel Aitken, known as Jamaica’s “Godfather of Ska,” comedian Stan Laurel, one half of the legendary Laurel and Hardy comedy duo, and the young pop star Laurel Arnell-Cullen.

In the American state of Maryland, Laurel is a city surprisingly famous for its large archaeological site home to countless dinosaur fossils from several different prehistoric periods.

Useful Resources

Checkout the meaning and origins of other English boys’ names on our website.