Lorelei
Lorelei is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Murmuring rock or luring rock.
Origin and history
Lorelei originates from a famous high slate rock on the Rhine River in Germany, associated with a legendary siren whose alluring song lured sailors to shipwreck. The name gained popular attention in the English-speaking world through literature, music, and media. In the United States, it has seen steady, modern usage as a distinctive feminine name.
Popularity in the United States
18,189 babies in the United States have been named Lorelei since 1880. It ranks #1128 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #451.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.9 %)
- TX (8.9 %)
- NY (6.9 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- FL (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 154 |
| 1930-1940 | 354 |
| 1940-1950 | 587 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,269 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,020 |
| 1970-1980 | 633 |
| 1980-1990 | 429 |
| 1990-2000 | 375 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,919 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,407 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,037 |
Famous people named Lorelei
- Lorelei King: Actress, Narrator
- Lorelei Linklater: Actress, Artist
Nicknames
Lori, Rory, Lori-Lee
Fun facts
- The name originally referred to a sharp river rock in Germany known for producing a peculiar whispering echo.
- Heinrich Heine popularized the siren legend in his famous 1824 poem 'Die Loreley'.