Gender:

Female

Meaning:

Laurel tree

History & etymology:

Lauren is a feminine name derived from Laurence, which in turn stems from the Roman name Laurentius. Its root - ‘Laurent-’ comes from the Latin word laurus, which means laurel. The name Lauren became popular in its feminine variant thanks to Betty Jean Perske, American actress and singer, whose stage name was Lauren Bacall.

The name’s patron can be either St. Lawrence (also spelled St. Laurence) or St. Laura.

St. Lawrence was born in AD 225. He became a deacon in Rome and devoted his life to catering for the poor. His life was marked by persecutions of Christians in Rome. When Pope Sixtus was captured by pagans and sentenced to death, St. Lawrence begged him not to abandon his subordinates. Then the Pope told him that the end of his misery is near as he would follow him in three days. St. Lawrence prepared himself for death by giving away everything he owned to the poor. On the third day, Roman prefect commanded him to fetch all the Church’s treasures, so St. Lawrence gathered his parishers and said ‘That’s Church’s greatest treasure!’. For such an offence, the Prefect had him burned to death on iron grill.

St. Laura, born in the 9th century in Cordoba, was a nun and a martyr. The contemporary written evidence of her life is scarce but the legend about her death prevailed by the word of the mouth and was written down centuries later. St. Laura is said to have been drowned in tar or molten lead by the Moors when she refused to reject her faith.

Alternative spellings & related names:

Feminine: Laureen, Laurene, Laura, Laurita, Laryn, Lorrin, Lorena, Laurinda, Laurissa, Laurie, Lori
Diminutives: Laurie, Lori (also used as independent names)
Masculine: Laurence, Lawrence, Lorrin, Lorne

Similar names in other languages & name days:

Czech Republic
1st June: Laura

Finland
18th January: Laura

Germany
26th March: Lara
8th October: Laura

Italy
19th October: Lara

Latvia
18th April: Laura

Lithuania:
17th June, 19th October: Laura

Poland
17th June: Laura

Spain:
1st June, 19th October: Laura
21st July: Lorenza

Sweden:
15th January: Laura

Ukraine
18th August: Laura
19th March: Laria

USA
14th November: Lauren
5th June: Laurie

Famous people named Lauren:

Lauren Bacall (1924 – 2014) - American actress
Lauren Cholewinski (1988-) - American speed skater
Lauren Cohan (1982-) - American-English actress, best known for her role as Maggie in series ‘The Walking Dead’
Lauren German (1978-) - American actress
Lauren Graham (1967-) - American actress and novelist
Lauren Holly (1963-) - American-Canadian actress
Lauren Jackson (1981-) - Australian basketball player
Lauren Jones (1982-) - American model and fashion designer
Lauren Pope (1982-) - English TV personality and model
Lauren Velez (1964-) - American actress

Fun facts:

Popularity:

USA: 119th  (2015)
UK: 180th  (2015)
Canada: 73rd  (2014)
Ireland: 19th (2015)

Lucky colors: white, ivory
Lucky stone: Diamond
Ruling planet: Venus
Characteristics: adventurous,  sociable,  has a good sense of humor,  loyal, friendly

Lauren is the title of TV series aired in 2012.