Lamar is an Old French name derived from la mare — meaning "the pond" or "the pool" — that was thoroughly adopted into American Black naming traditions during the mid-twentieth century and became one of the defining names of the 1970s–1990s African American naming boom. With 33,846 SSA records and a 1989 peak, Lamar is a name with a genuine cultural legacy now sitting at rank 1515, still used but a generation removed from its height.
A French Name That Became a Black American Name
Lamar arrived in American naming through French Louisiana and Creole naming traditions before spreading more broadly. By the 1970s it was firmly established in African American communities, appearing on the charts with consistent frequency. The name has a smooth, two-syllable rhythm (lah-MAR) and a formal elegance that fit the aspirational naming patterns of its era — when parents were deliberately choosing names that sounded distinguished. Old French place-name-derived names like Lamar, Leroy, and Darnell followed similar trajectories in American naming history.
Kendrick Lamar and the Name's Modern Moment
Rapper Kendrick Lamar — born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth , carries the name as his middle name and public surname, giving Lamar one of the highest-profile cultural associations of any name on this list. Pulitzer Prize winner, Super Bowl halftime performer, and one of the most critically acclaimed artists of his generation: Kendrick Lamar's success has kept the name culturally visible in a way that most 1989-peak names can't claim. That is a genuine asset for a name that might otherwise feel dated. Lamar and Lamont share a French-origin La- prefix and a similar cultural trajectory.
The Counter-Reading: Peak Has Passed
Lamar's rank of 1515 reflects a name that's neither reviving nor collapsing , it's simply at a low plateau. Parents choosing it today are likely doing so for personal or family reasons rather than trend-following, which is often the best motivation for a name. Five-letter names with strong final R sounds have reliable staying power even when they fall off the main charts.