MallowbyNames

La

LAH · Of uncertain origin; possibly a short form of names beginning with La- or a modern coinage.

Peak popularity
1990
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of La since 1913

Babies named La per year in U.S. Social Security records.

275380192019602000Most births 1990GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1910s210
1920s4611
1930s770
1940s470
1950s308
1960s15325
1970s25035
1980s30459
1990s432134
2000s8224
2010s010
2020s08

Meaning & origin

La is a name of uncertain origin, likely a modern invention or a short form. Its earliest recorded use in U.S. data dates to 1913, though it has never been common. The name reached its highest usage in 1990, with a rank of null and a 1-in-n of null, making it exceedingly rare. Its trajectory has been stable, with no clear trend toward revival. Despite its simplicity, La has not gained popularity in any specific state or region, appearing only sporadically across the country. As a unisex name, it offers a minimalist option for parents seeking a short, distinctive sound.

La is most likely a modern, invented name formed from the musical note 'la' or as a stand-alone syllable derived from longer names like Lana or Lara. It has been in sporadic use in the United States since at least the early 1900s, though its exact origins are unclear.

Sibling names for La

Names that share La's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Lea, Mia, Nia, Thea, Kaia

Brothers: Leo, Noah, Kai, Eli, Rex

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

L is for La, our favorite little person.

L is for La…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, La's letter becomes La's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make La's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name La mean?
The meaning of La is uncertain. It may derive from the musical note 'la' or be a short form of names like Lana. Its origins are not definitively known.
How popular is the name La?
La has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. Its peak usage was in 1990, with a rank of null and a 1-in-n of null. It remains a very rare name.
Is La a boy's name or a girl's name?
La is used for both boys and girls, making it unisex. In recent years, it has been recorded with similar frequency for each gender.