Meaning & Origin
A habitational surname from Old French.
Lamar is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the French de la mare meaning 'of the pool' or 'from the sea,' a habitual surname that crossed the Atlantic and took root in the American South. It gained prominence as a first name through politicians like Senator Lamar Alexander and rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Lamar has a smooth, two-syllable elegance that has made it a consistent choice in African American communities for generations. Kendrick Lamar — born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth — is arguably this generation's greatest rapper, lending the name immense cultural prestige.