The name Larry is an English variant of the ancient Germanic name Laurentius, derived from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" - a city located near ancient Rome. The name Laurentius itself stems from the Latin laurus, meaning "laurel".

In ancient Rome, laurel wreaths were symbols of victory and honor. As such, the name Laurentius was often bestowed upon Roman citizens who achieved great military or civic accomplishments. The cult of St. Lawrence, one of the most venerated Roman martyrs, further popularized the name across Europe during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Larry can be traced back to the 12th century, when an Englishman named Larry of Canterbury was mentioned in historical records from 1181. In medieval England, the name was sometimes spelled as Lari, Larri, or Layry.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Larry. One of the most famous was Larry the Deacon (c. 530-601), a Christian martyr and deacon of the Church in Rome who was executed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Valerian.

Another historically significant Larry was Larry of Argyll (c. 1335-1378), a Scottish knight and nobleman who played a crucial role in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England in the 14th century.

During the Renaissance, Larry Gozzadini (1406-1468) was an Italian jurist and diplomat who served as a papal ambassador and played a key role in the Council of Florence in the 15th century.

In more recent times, Larry King (1933-2021) was an American television and radio host who conducted over 60,000 interviews throughout his illustrious broadcasting career spanning six decades.

Larry Bird (born 1956) is a former professional basketball player who led the Boston Celtics to three NBA championship titles and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.