Origin, Meaning and History of Lafayette
Lafayette or La Fayette was initially a surname or a place name derived from the Occitan word’ la faieta,’ which refers to a beech forest. The beech tree has long been a symbol of strength and longevity in French culture. While some sources suggest that the name may also mean ‘faith,’ its etymology remains uncertain. Although Lafayette contains the feminine-sounding suffix ‘-ette,’ it is a masculine name typically given to boys.
The House of La Fayette was a French family of nobles of the sword, originally from the province of Auvergne. It was established during the Middle Ages by the lords of the fief of La Fayette, which was held by the senior branch of the Motier family. The family name held significant power during earlier times. The family name is known to have several variations, including Fayet, Des Fayettes, La Fayettes, Fayettes, Lafayet, La Fauyet, Delafayet, and Lafayette.
Historical records suggest that the name gained popularity in America due to the influence of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat serving as a general in the Continental Army. He became known for his contribution in the American and French alliance during the war, and his name has since been associated with heroism and bravery. He was a close friend of General George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Although Lafayette is not a name with any particular religious significance, it appears in some works of fiction. Lafayette Reynolds is the name of a character in Charlaine Harris’ best-selling book series,The Southern Vampire Mysteries. The book was later adapted into a popular television series by HBO calledTrue Blood.
Lafayette
How To Pronounce Lafayette?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Lafayette in English.
Famous People With The Name Lafayette
- Lafayette C. BakerAmerican investigator and spy, served the Union Army during the American Civil War
- Lafayette Sabine FosterAmerican politician and lawyer, member of the United States Senate and judge on the Connecticut Supreme Court
- Lafayette Howe MosherAmerican judge and politician, 23rd justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
- Oliver LafayetteAmerican-Croatian professional basketball player, two times EuroCup Champion
- Ruby LafayetteAmerican film actress, popular for her roles in the films Big Bob and The Man Trap
Lafayette On The Popularity Chart
Lafayette’s popularity and ranking have been fluctuating over the years. Take a look at the graphs below to better understand the name’s year-wise performance on the popularity charts.
Popularity Over Time
The popularity of the name Lafayette has experienced a significant decline since the late 1990s. Refer to the following graph for a comprehensive understanding of this trend.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Despite its uniqueness, the name Lafayette has never been ranked among the top 1000 baby names in the US. The graph below shows its year-wise ranking for a detailed overview.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Lafayette
If you like the unique sound of the name Lafayette, you may want some of these compiled names with a similar sound.
Popular Sibling Names For Lafayette
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Lafayette, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Lafayette
Find matching brother names for Lafayette and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Laughton
Lavit
Lavitra
Leavitt
Lefteris
Lefty
Leofede
Leviticus
Lifton
Livaatam
Girl Sibling Names For Lafayette
Looking for some suitable sister names for Lafayette? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
Lavada
Laveda
Laveta
Leffeda
Leveta
Lovdie
Lovedaia
Loveday
Lovedaya
Loveta
Other Popular Names Beginning With L
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter L to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Lafayette
If you find the meaning of Lafayette intriguing, here are some other name suggestions with similar connotations.
Popular Songs On The Name Lafayette
Lafayette’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also called Jyotisha, provides deep insights into a person’s life based on celestial positions at birth. Rashi and nakshatra, which are an integral part of Jyotisha, are believed to influence an individual’s personality and life events. The following sections give you rashi-related information, such as the associated letters, elements, ruling body, quality, and nakshatra for the name lafayette. These details help analyze a person’s characteristics, personality, and behavior.
Zodiac Sign (Rashi)
As shown in the following table, each rashi is associated with specific sounds, which are often used as the starting letters of names for newborns in Hindu families. Each rashi is represented by a figure and one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space). One ruling celestial body, known as its 'rashi lord' or 'ruler' is assigned to these rashis. These bodies include Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Furthermore, the rashis are assigned various qualities or gunas.
| Rashi (zodiac sign) | Mesha (Aries) |
|---|---|
| Starting letters for Mesha (Aries) rashi | A, L, E, I, O |
| Representation | Ram |
| Element | Fire |
| Ruling body | Mars |
| Quality | Movable (chara) |
Birth Star (Nakshatra)
吠陀占星学的另一个重要方面是nakshatras, the lunar constellations or star clusters that the Moon occupies during a person's birth. There are 27 nakshatras, each with its own unique qualities, attributes, and symbolism. Each rashi contains two-and-one-fourth nakshatras in it. For example, Aries contains Ashwini, Bharani, and Krithika nakshatras.
The below table provides information on the nakshatras’ degrees on the zodiac circle, their lords and related syllables, for babies born in the Mesha (Aries) rashi. These syllables/phonetics are popularly used to choose the baby name. For precise nakshatra calculation based on your baby's birthplace and date, use ourNakshatra Calculator.
| Nakshatra | Degrees Of The Nakshatra | Nakshatra Lord (Ruler) |
Name Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwini (Awasthi, Aswini) | Aries (0 to 13.20 degrees) | Ketu | Chu, Che, Cho, Choo, La, Laa |
| Bharani | Aries (13. 20 to 26.40 degrees) | Venus | Lee, Lu, Le, Lo, Li |
| Krittika (Karthikai, Krithika) | Aries (26.40 to 30.00 degrees) | Sun | Aa, Ae, E, Ee, Ai, A, I, Oo, U |
Infographic: Know The Name Lafayette‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Lafayette In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
lafayette
In Sign Language
lafayette
In Braille Alphabet
lafayette
In Morse Code
lafayette
Name Numerology For Lafayette
出有数字命理学是一个神秘的系统ance to numbers and their influence on human life and destiny. Numerologists attribute specific qualities, energies, and characteristics to a number. Parents who believe in numerology prefer to choose baby names that resonate positively with the child’s unique numerical vibrations, often derived from their date of birth. Here we give a general birth number and personality traits of the name Lafayette, based on the Pythagorean (Western) system. This analysis will differ from child to child based on their date of birth. You may use ournumerology calculatorfor more personalized information.
Baby Name Lists Containing Lafayette
Read through our baby name lists that include the name Lafayette and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?
Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Lafayette
Discover the presence of Lafayette in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.
| Movie title | Other titles | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| The Lafayette Escadrille | 2020 | |
| Dirt Road to Lafayette | 2018 | |
| Lafayette | Der junge General, Een degen voor twee vaandels, El guerrero inmortal, Epopéia de Bravos, La Fayette, La Fayette - El guerrero inmortal, La Fayette - Heros de la Liberte, La Fayette - Vrijheidsheld in Amerika, La Fayyett, Lafayette - I efodos ton gennaion, Lafayette, una spada per due bandiere, Une epee pour deux drapeaux, Ла Файетт | 1962 |
| Lafayette Escadrille | C'est la guerre, Contigo nos Meus Braços, Escadrila Lafayette, Flygeskadern Lafayette, Hell Bent for Glory, La escuadrilla Lafayette, La squadriglia Lafayette, Lafayetten laivue, Lutando Só Pela Glória, To sminos thyella, William Wellman's Lafayette Escadrille, With You in My Arms, Ескадрилья Лафайєт, Эскадрилья «Лафайет», 壮烈! 外人部隊 | 1958 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the name Lafayette?
The name Lafayette means ‘a beech forest.’
What is the origin of the name Lafayette?
Lafayette has a French origin.
What is the short name for La Fayette?
Nicknames or short names are commonly used to show affection. For baby boys named Lafayette, consider using nicknames like Laffy, Lafe, Laff, or Faye. These cute and beautiful nicknames will be perfect for Lafayette.
How common is the last name La Fayette?
The last name Lafayette is not common and is ranked as the 79,039th most popular last name globally. About one in every 1,179,787 people has this surname. It is mostly found in the US, where 57% of Lafayette families live.
How is Lafayette famous?
Marquis de Lafayette, also known simply as Lafayette is best known for his crucial role in the American Revolutionary War. He was a French aristocrat and military officer who became a passionate supporter of the American cause for independence (1).
References:
- The Marquis de Lafayette.
https://about.lafayette.edu/mission-and-history/the-marquis-de-lafayette/
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