The name Lauri has its origins in the Finnish language and is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which in turn comes from the Roman family name Laurentius. Laurentius is derived from the Latin word "laurus," meaning "laurel," a type of evergreen plant that was used to make wreaths for crowning victors and poets in ancient Rome.

The name Laurentius was borne by several early Christian saints and martyrs, including Saint Laurentius, a deacon who was martyred in Rome during the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Valerian in the 3rd century AD. The popularity of the name Laurentius and its various forms, such as Lauri, spread throughout Europe as Christianity became more widespread.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Lauri can be found in the Finnish epic poem "Kalevala," which was compiled in the 19th century but contains stories and traditions that date back to ancient times. In the poem, Lauri is mentioned as a heroic figure who played a significant role in the narrative.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Lauri. Lauri-Pekka Letonmäki (1936-2017) was a Finnish long-distance runner who won gold medals in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters events at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Lauri Kristian Relander (1883-1942) was a Finnish politician who served as the second President of Finland from 1925 to 1931.

Lauri Törni (1919-1965), also known as Larry Thorne, was a Finnish soldier who fought in World War II and later became a highly decorated officer in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Lauri Rapala (1905-1974) was a Finnish inventor and businessman who created the popular Rapala fishing lure, which has become a global brand.

Another notable figure with the name Lauri was Lauri-Pekka Siikanen (1952-2006), a Finnish ice hockey player who played for several teams in the Finnish SM-liiga and represented Finland in international competitions, including the 1976 and 1984 Winter Olympics.