Laurel is a given name of Latin origin, derived from the laurel plant, which has been associated with victory and honor since ancient times. The name gained popularity during the Roman era when laurel wreaths were used to crown victorious leaders, poets, and scholars.

In ancient Greek mythology, the laurel tree was sacred to Apollo, the god of poetry, music, and prophecy. The name Daphne, meaning "laurel" in Greek, was given to a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo's pursuit. This myth contributed to the symbolic association of the laurel with purity and chastity.

The earliest recorded usage of the name Laurel can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was occasionally given to English and Scottish children. However, it remained relatively uncommon until the 19th century when it experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in the United States.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Laurel was Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, an American historian and academic born in 1938. Her book "A Midwife's Tale" won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1991.

Another famous Laurel was Laurel Nakadate, an American artist and filmmaker born in 1975, known for her provocative and boundary-pushing works that explore themes of vulnerability, desire, and identity.

In the literary world, Laurel Snyder is an acclaimed children's book author and poet, born in 1971. Her novel "Orphan Island" won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2018.

The name Laurel has also been associated with several notable athletes, including Laurel Hubbard, a New Zealand weightlifter and the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Olympic Games, born in 1978.

Lastly, Laurel Aitken, a Jamaican singer and musician born in 1927, is credited as one of the pioneers of the ska and rocksteady genres, helping to shape the sound of modern Jamaican music.