Laurence

Laurence comes from Latin Laurentius, meaning someone from Laurentum, an ancient Italian town. The place name has traditionally been connected with the laurel tree, which explains the botanical meaning often associated with the personal name. Saints called Laurence or Lawrence helped establish it throughout Christian Europe.

Laurence Olivier gives the spelling a strong connection with British theater and film. In English it is usually a masculine name, while French Laurence is also an established feminine form with a different pronunciation. Laurie and Larry are familiar English short forms. The alternative Lawrence belongs to the same history, so choosing between the two spellings is mainly a matter of family or language tradition rather than meaning.