boys' name · peaked 1952

Lawrence

A male given name from Latin, the usual spelling of Laurence in the U.S.; masculine of Lauren

Every Lawrence since 1880 — 463,357 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.883.755.637.518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#520
among boys
Babies in 2025
585
named Lawrence
Peak year
1952
10,336 babies
All-time total
463,357
since 1880

The story of Lawrence

Lawrence is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #520 in 2025 with 578 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 463,357 American babies have been named Lawrence. Its peak came in 1952, when 10,336 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lawrence stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Lawrence year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 7 #12,616 578 #520
2024 11 #9,287 600 #508
2023 12 #8,764 521 #558
2022 5 #16,663 541 #550
2021 9 #10,758 484 #580
2020 10 #9,962 498 #563
2019 6 #14,804 530 #535
2018 579 #498
2017 5 #17,309 587 #494
2016 614 #493
2015 582 #499
2014 6 #15,715 639 #460
2013 585 #476
2012 601 #452
2011 595 #453
2010 583 #457
2009 636 #441
2008 676 #429
2007 772 #392
2006 728 #406
2005 8 #12,490 725 #395
2004 768 #362
2003 817 #341
2002 794 #345
2001 811 #340
2000 889 #322
1995 1,150 #248
1990 11 #7,629 1,780 #174
1985 14 #5,213 1,941 #144
1980 19 #4,074 2,173 #129
1975 24 #3,010 2,364 #110
1970 30 #2,484 3,824 #83
1965 23 #2,575 4,961 #66
1960 27 #2,274 6,380 #64
1955 24 #2,253 9,128 #42
1950 23 #2,028 10,173 #33
1945 23 #1,775 7,163 #30
1940 24 #1,616 6,173 #36
1935 28 #1,401 5,351 #35
1930 31 #1,389 5,639 #36
1925 26 #1,673 5,633 #36
1920 22 #1,855 5,727 #36
1915 28 #1,353 4,688 #37
1910 8 #1,853 1,009 #35
1905 8 #1,485 669 #38
1900 659 #40
1895 509 #41
1890 6 #1,278 372 #52
1885 288 #64
1880 257 #65

Famous people named Lawrence

  1. Lawrence Kohlberg Psychologist · 1927–1987
  2. Lawrence Bragg Physicist · 1890–1971
  3. Lawrence Alma-Tadema Painter · 1836–1912
  4. Lawrence Durrell Writer · 1912–1990
  5. Lawrence of Brindisi Religious figure · 1559–1619

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Lawrence mean?

A male given name from Latin, the usual spelling of Laurence in the U.S.; masculine of Lauren

How popular is the name Lawrence in 2025?

Lawrence ranked #520 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 578 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Lawrence?

463,357 babies have been named Lawrence in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Lawrence most popular?

Lawrence peaked in 1952, when 10,336 newborns received the name.

Is Lawrence a boy or girl name?

Lawrence is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Lawrence rising or falling?

Lawrence has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Lawrence?

Well-known people named Lawrence include Lawrence Kohlberg (psychologist), Lawrence Bragg (physicist), Lawrence Alma-Tadema (painter).

Names like Lawrence

Compare Lawrence with similar names →