Delorean

Meaning & origin

The name Delorean is a modern creation, directly inspired by the surname of John DeLorean and the iconic car that bore his name. It entered the U.S. baby name pool in 1982, coinciding with the debut of the DeLorean DMC-12, and saw its peak usage in 1984, the same year the car's fame was cemented by its role as a time machine in Back to the Future. Despite this cultural boost, Delorean has never ranked in the top 1,000 and remains an extremely rare but recognizable choice. Its trajectory is stable, with occasional small upticks. The name carries a futuristic, automotive-cool vibe, appealing to parents who want a bold, unusual name with a story. The one-in-N ratio is not available due to its rarity, but its unusual spelling and strong association ensure it stands out.

Delorean is a modern given name inspired by the surname of John DeLorean, the automotive engineer who founded the DeLorean Motor Company. The surname itself is of French origin, derived from de Loraine, meaning 'from Lorraine', with folk etymology sometimes connecting it to 'de l'aviron' (of the oars). The name gained cultural cachet after the DeLorean DMC-12 was featured as a time machine in the 1985 film Back to the Future. As a first name, it has seen limited but steady use since the early 1980s.