Find out how popular the first name Lura has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lura by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lura is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lura.

The history of the first name Lura

The name Lura has its origins in Old Norse, a North Germanic language spoken by the Vikings and ancient Scandinavian people. It is derived from the Old Norse word "lur," which means a wind instrument or horn. The name likely originated as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who played or made such instruments.

In ancient Nordic cultures, horns and wind instruments held significant symbolic and ceremonial roles. They were often used to signal the start of battles, announce important events, or mark sacred rituals. The name Lura may have been bestowed upon individuals who held these roles or were skilled in crafting these instruments.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lura can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of historical tales and stories from the 13th and 14th centuries. These sagas mention a character named Lura Thorvaldsdottir, who lived in Iceland during the Viking Age (793–1066 AD).

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lura. One such person was Lura Smedley (1876–1944), an American educator and activist who advocated for women's rights and the abolition of child labor. She was a prominent figure in the suffrage movement and served as the president of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association.

Another notable Lura was Lura Cayton-Woodridge (1897–1965), an African American sociologist and educator. She was one of the first Black women to earn a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago and made significant contributions to the study of race relations and urban sociology.

In the literary world, Lura Stratton (1880–1959) was an American author and playwright known for her works on Native American themes. Her play "The Heart of Wetona" was widely acclaimed and brought attention to the experiences and challenges faced by indigenous communities.

Lura Morse (1805–1856) was a pioneering American educator and author who founded several schools and wrote extensively on educational methods and practices. Her works, such as "The Little Girl's Book" and "The Little Boy's Book," were widely used in classrooms during the 19th century.

Lura Deaton (1910–2002) was a renowned American folk artist and painter from North Carolina. Her vibrant and whimsical paintings, often depicting rural life and scenes from her childhood, earned her widespread recognition and numerous awards, including the prestigious North Carolina Award for Fine Arts.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Lura. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Nordic cultures, the name has been carried by individuals from various backgrounds and professions, leaving a lasting legacy in fields such as education, activism, literature, and art.

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

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

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