Find out how popular the first name Laurens has been for the last 31 years (from 1975 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Laurens by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Laurens is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Laurens.

The history of the first name Laurens

The name Laurens has its origins in the Latin language and was derived from the word "laurus" which means "laurel". The laurel was a plant that was sacred to the ancient Romans and was used to make crowns or wreaths that were awarded to victors, poets, and scholars.

The name first appeared in ancient Rome and was initially used as a surname or family name. It is believed that the name was first adopted as a given name during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions where Latin was widely used, such as Italy, France, and parts of Spain.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Laurens can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who mentioned a Roman soldier named Laurens Tullius Geminus in his work "Annals" from around 109 AD. The name also appears in several medieval records and documents from various parts of Europe.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Laurens. One of the most famous was Laurens Janszoon Coster (c. 1370-1440), a Dutch inventor who is credited with the invention of the printing press before Johannes Gutenberg. Another notable figure was Laurens Reael (1583-1637), a Dutch army officer and colonial administrator who played a significant role in the Dutch colonization of the Americas.

In the literary world, Laurens Janszoon Koster (1589-1647), a Dutch poet and playwright, is remembered for his contributions to the Dutch Golden Age. The French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes (1596-1650) also had the given name Laurens, although he is more commonly known by his Latinized name Renatus.

One of the most prominent figures in American history with the name Laurens was Henry Laurens (1724-1792), a merchant, politician, and Revolutionary War leader who served as the President of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1778.

While the name Laurens has its roots in ancient Rome and was more commonly used in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it has also been adopted in various other cultures and languages over time, sometimes with slight variations in spelling or pronunciation.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Laurens was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Laurens, please contact us.

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