Lawrence

Lawrence is an English given name derived from the Latin Laurentius, meaning "man from Laurentum," a city in ancient Italy whose name is itself thought to derive from laurus, the Latin word for laurel. The laurel connection gave the name associations with honor and victory, as laurel wreaths were awarded to distinguished Romans. Saint Lawrence, a third-century Christian martyr, spread the name widely throughout medieval Europe. Related forms include Laurent in French, Lorenzo in Italian and Spanish, Lars in Scandinavian languages, and the anglicized short form Larry.