Find out how popular the first name Laval has been for the last 35 years (from 1974 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Laval by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Laval is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Laval.

The history of the first name Laval

The name Laval is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "val," which means "valley" or "dale." The name is believed to have emerged in the Middle Ages, possibly as a reference to someone living in or near a valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Laval can be found in the 11th century, when the Seigneurs de Laval, a noble family from the region of Laval in northwestern France, rose to prominence. The family's name was derived from the town of Laval, which itself was named after its location in a valley.

In the 12th century, a prominent figure named Guy de Laval (1112-1183) was a French nobleman and crusader who participated in the Second Crusade. He was part of the force led by King Louis VII of France and is mentioned in several historical accounts of the time.

Another notable individual with the name Laval was François de Montmorency-Laval (1623-1708), a French Roman Catholic priest who served as the first Bishop of Quebec in New France (now Canada). He is revered as a significant figure in the early history of the Catholic Church in Canada and was canonized as a saint in 2014.

In the 19th century, Pierre-Édouard Laval (1808-1879) was a French lawyer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of France from 1835 to 1836. He played a role in the July Revolution of 1830, which saw the overthrow of King Charles X and the installation of Louis Philippe as the new French monarch.

During World War II, Pierre Laval (1883-1945) was a controversial French politician who served as the Prime Minister of France during the Nazi German occupation. He collaborated with the German authorities and was later convicted of treason and executed after the war.

Throughout history, the name Laval has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, clergy, politicians, and military figures. While its origins can be traced back to the French word for "valley," the name has taken on significance in different contexts and cultures over the centuries.

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 Laval was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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