Lorelai Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Lorelai is a name of German origin meaning 'temptress' or 'siren'. Its etymological roots trace back to folklore associated with luring sailors. Over time, the name evolved from 'Lorelei' in German to its modern adaptations. It gained popularity in the 19th century thanks to literary references and continues to be perceived as both whimsical and enchanting today.
The name Lorelai is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Lorelai has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Lorelai' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1261st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 570th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Lorelai' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Lorelai"
Pronunciation
/ˈlɔːrəlaɪ/
Origin
German
Etymology
The name Lorelai is derived from the German words 'lureln' meaning 'to lure' and 'lai' meaning 'rock'. It is associated with a legendary figure in German folklore who is said to have lured sailors to their doom with her singing.
Meaning
temptress, siren
Language Evolution
Lorelei (German), Lorelai (modern adaptation)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly due to Heinrich Heine's poem 'Die Lorelei' which popularized the myth of the Lorelei rock and its siren.
Variants & Derivatives
Loreley, Lorelai, Lory
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Lorelai is seen as a whimsical and enchanting name, often associated with beauty and mystery, partly due to its use in popular culture, including the television series 'Gilmore Girls'.
Famous People
Lorelai Gilmore (fictional character), Lorelai K. (singer)
Explore More Lorelai Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Lorelai"
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 of "Lorelai"
"Lorelai" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1261st of 35406 | 2,808 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 570th of 30306 | 6,514 |
Regional Popularity of "Lorelai" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Lorelai" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
23.40% 1072nd/4582 |
24.24% 1252nd/5164 |
16.12% 1179th/7313 |
17.51% 1307th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
11.37% 453rd/3984 |
14.24% 639th/4487 |
7.92% 540th/6822 |
11.62% 729th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Lorelai"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Lorelai" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.