English

Alternative forms

• (male given name):Lawrie
• (female given name): Lauri, Lori, Lorie

Proper noun

Laurie

1. A pet form of the male given name Laurence.
   • 1868 Louisa May Alcott: Little Women. Chapter 3:

     "I’m not Mr. Laurence, I’m only Laurie."

     "Laurie Laurence, what an odd name."

     "My first name is Theodore, but I don’t like it, for the fellows called me Dora, so I made them say Laurie instead."

2. A surname​ derived from the male given name.
   • ca. 1700 ?William Douglas: Annie Laurie:

     Maxwelton braes are bonnie

     Where early fa's the dew;

     An' it's there that Annie Laurie

     Gi'ed me her promise true.

3. A diminutive of Laura. Popular as a female given name in the US in the mid-twentieth century.
   • 2005 Adeline Catherine Anderson: My Sunshine. Signet Classic 2005. ISBN 0451213807 page 397:

     Laura called her parents. Her father answered. Fighting to keep her voice steady, Laura said, "Hi, Daddy."

     "Laurie? How's my little girl?"