Lore

Meaning & origin

Lore is a concise name with roots in Latin and Germanic traditions. Though it was first recorded in the U.S. in 1915, its peak usage came in 1961 during a modest revival. After decades of obscurity, Lore has been rising again since 2017, appealing to parents drawn to short, vowel-heavy names. Its meaning ties to the laurel wreath, a classical symbol of achievement. As a standalone name, it manages to feel both vintage and fresh, fitting well among similar revivals like Cora and Nora. While never ranking in the top 1000, its trajectory indicates growing interest in minimalist, elegant names.

Lore originated as a short form of names like Loretta or Eleonore, ultimately derived from the Latin 'laurus' (laurel). In German, it is also a diminutive of Eleonore. The name gained some independent use in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.