Nature Names, Canadian Names, American Names, English Names, Floral Names, Green Names, Earthy Names, Comedian Names

English speaking countries

In the 19th century, this name relates from the Middle English word for tree, "lorel" although the name was also recorded in the 16th century as a pet form of Laura.

There are various trees that contain laurel in their name, but the Bay Laurel is the one most strongly associated with laurel. Bay leaves are used in cooking for flavour, and its branches and leaves were used to make laurel wreaths in ancient Greece. In the ancient Olympic games, these wreaths were awarded to the victors.

Stan Laurel was one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.