The name derives from the Middle Low German name *Lawen-beke, meaning "lauer Bach"(engl.

[2] The Laweke starts in Hedersleben, northeast of Eisleben on the Mansfelder Platte a shallow mountain plateau at an elevation of 179 meters.

The valley deepens after that in the river tangents Elbitz in the north and then crosses the border to the Saalkreis, before reaching Schochwitz.

The streams valley widens, as it turns south east after passing the village.

The river then flows trough Müllerdorf before joining the Salza (Saale) in Zappendorf.