Declining since 1985, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Lolita since 1890
Babies named Lolita per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 31 |
| 1900s | 168 |
| 1910s | 299 |
| 1920s | 600 |
| 1930s | 647 |
| 1940s | 715 |
| 1950s | 978 |
| 1960s | 2,496 |
| 1970s | 1,348 |
| 1980s | 663 |
| 1990s | 241 |
| 2000s | 233 |
| 2010s | 179 |
| 2020s | 66 |
Meaning & origin
Lolita first appeared in U.S. records in 1890 and experienced a notable surge in popularity, peaking in 1963. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting the lasting cultural shadow cast by Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel. In 2025, the name ranked 10,107, with roughly 1 in 178,585 girls receiving it, making it one of the rarest names still appearing in official data. Its trajectory as a falling name since the mid-1980s mirrors a broader avoidance by parents due to the novel's associations. Despite its Spanish origins as a diminutive of Dolores, the name remains closely tied to literary notoriety rather than its etymological roots.
Lolita originated as a Spanish diminutive of Lola, itself a pet form of Dolores, from the Spanish title María de los Dolores meaning 'Mary of Sorrows'. The name gained international recognition through Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel 'Lolita', which influenced its perception and usage. Prior to the novel, it was used occasionally in Spanish-speaking communities but remained rare in English-speaking countries.
Where Lolita 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.
“Lolita” around the world
Where Lolita lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Loli, Lita, Lola
Sibling names for Lolita
Names that share Lolita's style, for a brother or sister.
