MallowbyNames

Lauretta

lor-ET-ah · Little laurel or sweet bay tree; symbol of victory and honor.

2025 rank (girls)
#8,860
Babies named in 2025
11
Peak popularity
1904
2025 frequency
1 in 146,115 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2006

A 1900s favorite, climbing again.

Popularity of Lauretta since 1880

Babies named Lauretta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lauretta's real moment was 1904.

751492241880192019602000Most births 1915Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s173
1890s464
1900s654
1910s1,621
1920s1,776
1930s1,223
1940s1,200
1950s1,256
1960s673
1970s241
1980s157
1990s94
2000s48
2010s63
2020s67

Meaning & origin

Lauretta is a feminine Italian diminutive of Laura, rooted in the Latin 'laurus' meaning laurel. The name saw its highest usage in the United States during the early 1900s, peaking at rank 8860 in 1904. After a period of decline, it has been rising in popularity since 2006, reflecting a revival of vintage and Italian-inspired names. With a current one-in-146,115 rate, Lauretta remains a rare but recognized choice. Its top states are not recorded, but it carries a distinctly Italian heritage that appeals to families seeking a melodic, less common alternative to Laura or Loretta.

Lauretta is an Italian feminine diminutive of Laura, itself derived from the Latin 'laurus' meaning 'laurel'. The laurel was sacred to Apollo in ancient Greece and Rome, used to crown victorious athletes and poets. The name spread across Europe during the Renaissance, when Laura was popularized by Petrarch's sonnets. Lauretta as a distinct diminutive form has been used in Italy and, later, in English-speaking countries as a variant of Laura.

Where Lauretta is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Lauri, Laurie, Rett, Etta, Lena

Variants: Loretta, Laurita, Laurinda, Larina

Sibling names for Lauretta

Names that share Lauretta's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

L is for Lauretta, our favorite little girl.

L is for Lauretta…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Lauretta's letter becomes Lauretta's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Lauretta's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Lauretta mean?
Lauretta means 'little laurel' or 'sweet bay tree', derived from the Latin word for laurel, a symbol of victory and honor.
How popular is the name Lauretta?
In 2025, Lauretta ranked 8860, with about 1 in every 146,115 baby girls given the name. It peaked in 1904.
Is Lauretta a girl's name or a boy's name?
Lauretta is exclusively a girl's name, the feminine diminutive of Laura.