Holding steady.
Popularity of Laurana since 1989
Babies named Laurana per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 53 |
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Laurana is a rare name that entered the U.S. baby name landscape in 1989, a debut that coincides with the height of the Dragonlance fantasy series. The name saw its peak in 2000, a year when fantasy names were broadly popular, and has since maintained a low but steady presence. Unlike many fantasy coinages, Laurana has not experienced a revival, remaining a niche choice for parents drawn to literary or fantasy-inspired names. The name does not appear in any top states, indicating its usage is widely scattered rather than concentrated. As a modern invention with no pre-existing tradition, Laurana reflects the creative freedom of late-20th-century naming, where fictional characters could inspire real-world names.
Laurana is a modern literary coinage, first used by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman for the elven princess Laurana in their Dragonlance novels (1980s). It appears to be a fanciful elaboration of Laura, which derives from the Latin laurus 'laurel', a symbol of victory. The name entered limited use in the United States following the books' popularity, but remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Laurie, Lana, Aura
Sibling names for Laurana
Names that share Laurana's style, for a brother or sister.
