Larry Name Meaning: Origins and Significance

Origins of the Name Larry

The name Larry is a masculine given name in English, derived from Lawrence or Laurence. It can be a shortened form of those names. The name Lawrence is of Latin origin and means “laurel-crowned.” The laurel wreath was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Greece, and it was also associated with Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and prophecy. The name Laurence is a French variant of Lawrence and has the same meaning.

The name Larry became popular in the United States in the early 20th century, and it was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. It was a common name for baby boys born to working-class families, and it was often associated with blue-collar jobs such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation. The name Larry was also popular among athletes, musicians, and actors.

The name Larry has several variants and related names, including Larrie, Laurie, Loren, Lorin, Lorrin, Lawrie, Laz, and Larkin. Some of these names have different origins and meanings. For example, Larkin is an Irish surname that means “rough, fierce,” while Lowery is an English surname that means “hill fort.”

The name Larry is also related to other names that have similar meanings, such as Lauren, Laurent, Laure, Laurel, Lore, Lars, Lorenz, Lorenzo, Lara, Lowri, and Larue. Lauren is a feminine given name that means “bay laurel,” while Laurent is a French masculine given name that means “from Laurentum,” a city in ancient Italy. Lorenz and Lorenzo are Italian variants of Lawrence, and Lara is a Russian diminutive of Larisa, a Greek name that means “cheerful.” Lowri is a Welsh feminine given name that means “laurel,” and Larue is a French surname that means “the street.”

In conclusion, the name Larry is a popular and versatile name that has its roots in Latin and French. It is a shortened form of Lawrence or Laurence and has several variants and related names. The name Larry has been used by people from different backgrounds and professions, and it has different meanings and associations depending on the context.

Larry in Pop Culture

Larry has made its way into pop culture in various forms, from actors to athletes to fictional characters. Here are a few notable mentions:

• Larry David: An American comedian, writer, actor, and television producer, Larry David is best known as the co-creator of the television series Seinfeld and the star of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
• Larry Bird: A former professional basketball player, Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played for the Boston Celtics for his entire career and won three NBA championships.
• Larry the Lobster: A fictional character from the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, Larry the Lobster is a muscular and friendly lobster who is a lifeguard at Goo Lagoon.
• Larry Fitzgerald: A former professional football player, Larry Fitzgerald played for the Arizona Cardinals for his entire career and is considered one of the best wide receivers in NFL history.
• Larry Fine: An American actor, comedian, and violinist, Larry Fine is best known as a member of the comedy team The Three Stooges.
• Larry Hagman: An American actor, director, and producer, Larry Hagman is best known for his role as J.R. Ewing in the television series Dallas.
• Larry King: An American television and radio host, Larry King is best known for his long-running talk show Larry King Live.
• Larry Sanders: A fictional character from the television series The Larry Sanders Show, Larry Sanders is a talk show host who struggles with the pressures of his job and his personal life.
• Larry Wilmore: An American comedian, writer, and television producer, Larry Wilmore is best known as the creator of the television series The Bernie Mac Show and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
• Larry Page: An American computer scientist and entrepreneur, Larry Page is the co-founder of Google and the CEO of Alphabet Inc.
• Larry Butz: A fictional character from the Ace Attorney video game series, Larry Butz is a hapless and lovable slacker who often finds himself in trouble with the law.
• Larry Appleton: A fictional character from the television series Perfect Strangers, Larry Appleton is a naive and optimistic young man who moves to Chicago to live with his distant cousin Balki.

As you can see, Larry has made its mark in pop culture in various ways. Whether it’s through actors, athletes, or fictional characters, Larry continues to be a popular name in entertainment.

Larry as a Baby Name

Choosing a name for your baby can be a daunting task. You want a name that is unique, meaningful, and has a positive connotation. If you are considering the name Larry for your baby boy, here is what you need to know.

Larry is a masculine name of British origin. It is a diminutive form of the names Lawrence and Laurence, and it is often used as an independent name. The name Larry means “from Laurentium,” which was an ancient Roman city located in Italy.

Despite its popularity in the past, the name Larry has been declining in popularity in recent years. In 2023, it ranked #1810 in popularity, which is a drop of 738 from the previous year. However, this does not mean that the name is not a good choice for your baby. In fact, its declining popularity may make it a unique and distinctive name.

If you are a fan of the name Laurie or Loren, you may also appreciate the name Larry. They all have similar origins and meanings, and they are all great choices for a baby boy.

Several famous people bear the name Larry, including basketball player Larry Bird and actor/comedian Larry David. These individuals have helped to bring attention to the name and make it a recognizable choice.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a baby name that is unique, meaningful, and has a rich history, you may want to consider the name Larry. It may not be as popular as it once was, but it is still a great choice for a baby boy.

Variations and Diminutives of Larry

If you’re considering naming your child Larry or are just curious about the variations of the name, you’ll be happy to know that there are many options to choose from. Here are some of the most common variations and diminutives of Larry:

• Lawrence: This is the full version of the name that Larry is often short for. It comes from the Latin name Laurentius, which means “from Laurentum.”
• Lars: This is a Scandinavian variation of the name Larry. It means “crowned with laurel.”
• Laurie: This is a diminutive of Lawrence that is often used for girls. It can also be spelled Lori or Lorie.
• Loren: This is a variation of Lawrence that is sometimes used as a first name on its own. It means “from Laurentum.”
• Lorne: This is a Scottish variation of Lawrence that is sometimes used as a first name on its own. It means “fox.”
• Laz: This is a cute diminutive of the name Larry that you might use for a child. It could also be spelled Lazz or Lazzy.

Other variations of the name Larry include Lawrie, Lauri, Lari, Lars, Loren, Lasse, Lorin, Lorrin, Lassi, Laurent, and Lourens. While Larry is typically a boy’s name, there are feminine versions of the name as well, such as Laurentia, Loreen, Lorena, Lorenza, and Renza.

Overall, there are many options to choose from if you’re considering naming your child Larry or are just interested in the variations and diminutives of the name. Whether you prefer a traditional or unique name, there’s sure to be a variation of Larry that you’ll love.

Notable People Named Larry

Larry is a popular name that has been used by many notable individuals throughout history. Here are some of the most famous people named Larry:

• Larry David: He is an American comedian, writer, actor, and producer. He is best known for co-creating the television series Seinfeld and starring in the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry David has won numerous awards for his work in the entertainment industry.
• Larry Bird: He is a retired American professional basketball player. He played for the Boston Celtics for 13 seasons and won three NBA championships. Larry Bird is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
• Larry Fine: He was an American actor and comedian. He is best known as a member of the comedy team The Three Stooges. Larry Fine appeared in over 200 films during his career.
• Larry Hagman: He was an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his role as J.R. Ewing in the television series Dallas. Larry Hagman also appeared in numerous other television shows and films throughout his career.
• Larry King: He was an American television and radio host. He hosted the talk show Larry King Live on CNN for 25 years. Larry King was known for his interviewing style and his ability to get his guests to open up.
• Larry Sanders: He is an American comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for creating and starring in the HBO series The Larry Sanders Show. Larry Sanders has won numerous awards for his work in the entertainment industry.
• Larry Wilmore: He is an American comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for hosting the television show The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. Larry Wilmore has also worked as a writer and producer on numerous other television shows.
• Larry Page: He is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur. He co-founded the search engine Google and served as its CEO from 2011 to 2015. Larry Page is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to charity.
• Larry Fitzgerald: He is an American football wide receiver. He has played for the Arizona Cardinals since 2004 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times. Larry Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in NFL history.

These are just a few of the many notable individuals named Larry. Each of them has made significant contributions to their respective fields and has left a lasting impact on the world around them.