Abstract: Dynamic nonlinear analysis has been made for composite laminated plates by using the classical plate theory, first-order shear deformation theory and higher-order shear deformation theory. According to the displacement field derived of laminates virtual strain energy, kinetic energy, and virtual work, governing equations of laminates are obtained by the principle of virtual displacement. Using Navier series, the natural frequency of a simply supported laminated plates is compared and analyzed for effect of fiber laying angle, length to thickness ratio, elastic modulus ratio on the natural frequencies. The optimal design is made for the natural frequency of laminated composite plates based on the higher-order shear deformation theory. The numerical results show that it is available to use genetic algorithm for optimal design of the composite laminates, and the natural frequency using higher-order shear deformation theory is more accurate than that of the classical plate theory and the first order shear deformation theory. The natural frequency of laminated structures is obviously increasing after optimal design.