Lauren is the feminine version of the name Laurence, from the Roman family name Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum," a city in ancient Italy that likely got its own name from the Latin laurus, for "laurel". Originally a masculine name, Lauren is now almost exclusively used for girls. It was popularised as a feminine given name after the actress Lauren Bacall took it for her stage name in the 1940s. It was popular throughout the end of the 20th century but is currently on the decline.