Holding steady, #1,886 for boys today.
Popularity of Lars since 1883
Babies named Lars per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2000, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lars's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 22 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 8 |
| 1910s | 99 |
| 1920s | 139 |
| 1930s | 153 |
| 1940s | 215 |
| 1950s | 500 |
| 1960s | 876 |
| 1970s | 826 |
| 1980s | 815 |
| 1990s | 918 |
| 2000s | 1,136 |
| 2010s | 869 |
| 2020s | 454 |
Meaning & origin
Lars has a long but modest history in the United States, first recorded in 1883. Its peak usage came in 1901, and since then it has remained a steady, uncommon choice. In 2025, the name ranked 1886th, with about 1 in 20,579 newborn boys receiving the name. Geographically, Lars has shown the most favor in Minnesota, Washington, and Utah, reflecting its Scandinavian heritage in areas with strong Nordic immigrant communities. While never breaking into the top tier of American names, Lars offers a classic, understated alternative to more common names like Eric or Nils.
Lars is a Scandinavian form of the Latin name Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel'. The name has been common in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark since the Middle Ages, often associated with the laurel wreath as a symbol of victory and honor.
Where Lars is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Larry, Lasse
Variants: Lasse, Laurits, Laurs, Lorens
Sibling names for Lars
Names that share Lars's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ingrid, Astrid, Sigrid, Karin, Maja, Annelise, Annika, Elli, Elsa, Greta, Hulda, Jonna, Kirsten, Lisbeth, Liv, Signe, Sonja, Alida, Anja, Britta, Dagmar, Elin, Elisabet, Inga, Karine, Kerstin, Klara, Lise, Maris, Marna, Nilsa, Rebecka, Siri, Anneka, Annica, Beatris, Berit, Brigitta, Brita, Conny, Ebba, Edda, Eline, Erla, Eryka, Freja, Hilde, Inge, Janne, Kajsa, Katrin, Katrine, Kirsti, Kisa, Leida, Linde, Margit, Marit, Marja, Sanna, Svea, Tekla, Aanika, Anikka, Annelie, Calle, Dala, Elke, Halla, Ingris, Jensine, Jordis, Kaja, Kalla, Kalle, Karlina, Kjersten, Kjerstin, Lene, Lilja, Linnae, Lis, Lisbet, Malin, Nanna, Osa, Rakel, Senta, Solveig, Sylvi, Thyri, Tove, Viveca, Hanne, Marlies, Saga, Ane, Birgit, Elga, Fryda, Hedda, Ingri, Jette, Kirstine, Kjersti, Malene, Margrete, Marieke, Oline, Stina, Tine, Trine, Ulla
Brothers: Nils, Erik, Olav, Bjorn, Anders, Albin, Axel, Eric, Evert, Gunnar, Hagen, Hans, Henrik, Johan, Karl, Kris, Kristofer, Leif, Mikael, Soren, Aksel, Ander, Arne, Carsten, Clemens, Gustav, Iver, Jansen, Jens, Karel, Karsten, Klaus, Kristoffer, Nels, Nicklas, Niels, Olaf, Ole, Oskar, Sander, Steffen, Stellan, Sven, Willem, Asta, Espen, Even, Fredrik, Gillis, Gustaf, Hansen, Helmer, Jahn, Jantzen, Joh, Jorgen, Kriss, Kristoff, Marten, Mikkel, Patrik, Peder, Selmer, Tage, Torben, Torsten, Behr, Claus, Einer, Eivin, Erric, Helder, Henning, Henrick, Holger, Jesper, Joran, Joren, Kaj, Kert, Kjell, Krist, Lief, Lindberg, Mads, Marx, Mattis, Nichlas, Niklas, Nilson, Per, Ralf, Ranier, Rik, Thorsten, Aarik, Andrus, Aniken, Benno, Bertel, Brand, Esben, Frans, Halvor, Havard, Hilmar, Joahan, Joakim, Kristjan, Madsen, Marte, Olof, Rien, Steen, Stein, Sten, Thielen, Thijs
