boys' name · peaked 2000

Lars

Borrowed from North Germanic, from Latin Laurentius.

Every Lars since 1883 — 7,035 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.030.050.080.118801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1901Boys
Rank 2025
#1,897
among boys
Babies in 2025
83
named Lars
Peak year
2000
128 babies
All-time total
7,035
since 1883

The story of Lars

Lars is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,897 in 2025 with 83 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1883, 7,035 American babies have been named Lars. Its peak came in 2000, when 128 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lars stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Lars year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 83 #1,897
2024 67 #2,181
2023 67 #2,164
2022 95 #1,757
2021 59 #2,343
2020 83 #1,806
2019 69 #2,102
2018 87 #1,772
2017 88 #1,759
2016 109 #1,538
2015 91 #1,711
2014 83 #1,809
2013 95 #1,620
2012 84 #1,779
2011 74 #1,896
2010 89 #1,722
2009 95 #1,660
2008 102 #1,569
2007 125 #1,348
2006 101 #1,506
2005 116 #1,312
2004 111 #1,332
2003 117 #1,243
2002 127 #1,129
2001 114 #1,197
2000 128 #1,103
1995 91 #1,217
1990 84 #1,193
1985 69 #1,121
1980 99 #903
1975 75 #949
1970 104 #799
1965 82 #818
1960 61 #978
1955 41 #1,176
1950 34 #1,244
1945 20 #1,516
1940 22 #1,453
1935 15 #1,880
1930 13 #2,242
1925 11 #2,680
1920 14 #2,289
1915 17 #1,747
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Lars

  1. Lars von Trier Film director · b. 1956
  2. Lars Porsena Politician · -600–-500
  3. Lars Onsager Chemist · 1903–1976
  4. Lars Levi Laestadius Religious figure · 1800–1861
  5. Lars Ulrich Musician · b. 1963

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Lars mean?

Borrowed from North Germanic, from Latin Laurentius.

How popular is the name Lars in 2025?

Lars ranked #1,897 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 83 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Lars?

7,035 babies have been named Lars in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Lars most popular?

Lars peaked in 2000, when 128 newborns received the name.

Is Lars a boy or girl name?

Lars is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Lars rising or falling?

Lars has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Lars?

Well-known people named Lars include Lars von Trier (film director), Lars Porsena (politician), Lars Onsager (chemist).

Names like Lars

Compare Lars with similar names →