Declining since 1986.
Popularity of Lura since 1880
Babies named Lura per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lura's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 727 |
| 1890s | 948 |
| 1900s | 920 |
| 1910s | 1,553 |
| 1920s | 1,629 |
| 1930s | 962 |
| 1940s | 789 |
| 1950s | 626 |
| 1960s | 470 |
| 1970s | 283 |
| 1980s | 252 |
| 1990s | 154 |
| 2000s | 98 |
| 2010s | 93 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Lura is a name that enjoyed a brief period of use in the late 19th century, with its peak year in 1885. The name's exact origins are unclear, but it likely emerged as a English variant of Laura or Lora. Since 1986, its usage has been in decline, and it has not appeared on national popularity charts in recent years. The name's history is tied to the late Victorian era, when similar short, melodic names like Nora and Cora were also fashionable. While Lura has no documented top state concentrations, its early popularity seems to have been scattered across the United States, reflecting broader naming trends of the time.
Lura is likely an English coinage from the late 19th century. It may have developed as a feminine form of the rare name Lur, or as a variant spelling of Laura or Lora, which are derived from the Latin word 'laurus' meaning 'laurel'. The name saw brief popularity in the 1880s, peaking in 1885, but has since fallen out of common use.
Where Lura is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Lulu, Luri
Sibling names for Lura
Names that share Lura's style, for a brother or sister.
