Lolita
Lolita is a girl's name of Spanish origin.
Meaning
Little sorrow; diminutive of Dolores.
Origin and history
Lolita originated as a Spanish diminutive of Dolores, meaning 'sorrows' in reference to the Virgin Mary. In the United States, its usage declined significantly in the late 20th century, largely influenced by Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel of the same name. Today, it remains a rare given name in U.S. birth records.
Popularity in the United States
8,664 babies in the United States have been named Lolita since 1880. It ranks #1799 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2035.
States where it is most popular
- IL (24.1 %)
- CA (14.3 %)
- NY (9.5 %)
- LA (6.6 %)
- MI (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 31 |
| 1900-1910 | 168 |
| 1910-1920 | 299 |
| 1920-1930 | 600 |
| 1930-1940 | 647 |
| 1940-1950 | 715 |
| 1950-1960 | 978 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,496 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,348 |
| 1980-1990 | 663 |
| 1990-2000 | 241 |
| 2000-2010 | 233 |
| 2010-2019 | 179 |
| 2020-2029 | 66 |
Famous people named Lolita
- Lolita Davidovich: Actress
- Lolita Rodriguez: Actress
Nicknames
Lola, Lita
Fun facts
- The publication of Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel Lolita permanently shifted public perception and cultural usage of the name worldwide.
- Despite modern pop-culture connotations, the name's underlying root is deeply tied to Catholic Marian devotion.