Declining since 2022, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Lorcan since 1997
Babies named Lorcan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 95 |
| 2020s | 74 |
Meaning & origin
Lorcan is an Irish name with ancient roots but a very recent presence in American records. First recorded in the U.S. Social Security data in 1997, it has slowly climbed to its peak rank of 8,243 in 2023, before slipping slightly in 2025. The name's trajectory has been falling since 2022, indicating a small but established niche. Its meaning 'little fierce one' connects to its Gaelic etymology, and while it has not yet reached wide popularity, it carries a strong cultural weight for families with Irish heritage.
Lorcan is the Irish Gaelic form of the Old Irish name Lorcán, derived from 'lorc' meaning 'fierce' combined with a diminutive suffix, thus meaning 'little fierce one'. It was borne by several early Irish saints and kings, including the 10th-century King Lorcán mac Cinnéide of Munster. After centuries of limited use, it has seen a revival in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora since the late 20th century.
“Lorcan” around the world
Where Lorcan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
43
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lor, Loki
Variants: Lorcán, Lorkin
Sibling names for Lorcan
Names that share Lorcan's style, for a brother or sister.
