Holding steady.
Popularity of Laban since 1886
Babies named Laban per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1932, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Laban's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 60 |
| 1920s | 57 |
| 1930s | 39 |
| 1940s | 22 |
| 1950s | 31 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 72 |
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 90 |
| 2010s | 63 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Laban is a biblical name with Hebrew origins, appearing in the Book of Genesis as the father of Leah and Rachel. Despite its ancient lineage, it has never been widely adopted in the United States. The name first appeared in Social Security records in 1886, the same year as its peak popularity, which suggests it has always been rare. It has not ranked in the top 1,000 names for any year. Its trajectory is stable, meaning it does not show signs of revival or decline from its current negligible usage. Laban is most strongly associated with religious families who favor obscure Old Testament names.
Laban is from the Hebrew name לָבָן (Lavan), derived from the root לָבַן (lavan) meaning 'to be white'. In the Bible, Laban is the brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel, making him a patriarchal figure in the Book of Genesis. The name has been used occasionally in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation, but has never been common.
Sibling names for Laban
Names that share Laban's style, for a brother or sister.
