Girl · 475th of 30,306
Lorelei
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
17,482
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2016
Peak Popularity Year
716
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Lorelei stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Lorelei has German origins, meaning 'murmuring rock'. It evolved from Middle High German forms and is notably linked to a mythical siren. The name gained popularity in the 19th century through literature and is currently seen as enchanting and mystical. There is no biblical relevance associated with it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈlɔːrəlaɪ/
Origin
German
Etymology
The name Lorelei is derived from the German words 'lureln' meaning 'to murmur' and 'ley' meaning 'rock' or 'cliff'. It is associated with a rock on the Rhine River where a siren was said to lure sailors to their doom with her enchanting song.
Meaning
murmuring rock
Language Evolution
Lorelei, Loreley, Lorelei (Middle High German)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly after the publication of Heinrich Heine's poem 'Die Lorelei' in 1824, which contributed to the romantic imagery associated with the name.
Variants & Derivatives
Loreley, Lorelai, Lorelly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Lorelei is perceived as a mystical and enchanting name, often associated with beauty and allure, reflecting its literary and mythological roots.
Famous People
Lorelei Lee (character in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'), Lorelei Gilmore (character in 'Gilmore Girls')
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 716 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in Washington
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4569th of 9107 | 67 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1124th of 9204 | 794 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 978th of 12526 | 2,057 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1447th of 19264 | 1,157 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2779th of 27321 | 634 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 853rd of 35406 | 4,742 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 475th of 30306 | 8,031 |