A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Loretta since 1880
Babies named Loretta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,036 |
| 1890s | 3,382 |
| 1900s | 5,151 |
| 1910s | 14,570 |
| 1920s | 21,071 |
| 1930s | 31,537 |
| 1940s | 30,121 |
| 1950s | 30,394 |
| 1960s | 22,070 |
| 1970s | 8,640 |
| 1980s | 3,279 |
| 1990s | 1,380 |
| 2000s | 932 |
| 2010s | 1,804 |
| 2020s | 2,197 |
Meaning & origin
Loretta is a name of Italian origin that became a beloved classic in mid-20th-century America. First recorded in the United States in 1880, it soared to a peak rank of 13 in 1938, when it was one of the most popular girls' names among families in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. After decades of decline, it has been rising again since 2002, reflecting a revival of vintage names from the 1930s. In 2025, with a rank of 606 and a 1-in-3,314 frequency, Loretta remains a distinctive choice that balances tradition with a gentle, melodic sound.
Loretta is a feminine diminutive of the Italian name Lora, itself a short form of Laura, which means 'laurel' in Latin. The name also derives from the Italian town of Loreto, site of a famous Marian shrine, leading to its use in Catholic communities. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century and peaked in the 1930s.
Where Loretta 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lori, Rett, Etta, Lore
Sibling names for Loretta
Names that share Loretta's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Dorothy, Sylvia, Rosemary, Eileen, Patricia, Alvina, Annetta, Belinda, Donetta, Donnetta, Frances, Izetta, Joellen, Jolene, Lanita, Leatrice, Lurline, Marietta, Marjorie, Marlyn, Mozelle, Rosetta, Shirlee, Willetta, Arlena, Arletha, Arletta, Arnetta, Carletta, Carlita, Charlesetta, Creola, Delinda, Delora, Denita, Donita, Doretta, Elwanda, Floretta, Gearldine, Glendora, Janetta, Joetta, Jonelle, Lanette, Larita, Laveta, Lavona, Lavonda, Londa, Lorita, Lossie, Louetta, Lynna, Rozella, Sabrena, Tangela, Vernelle, Anella, Anetta, Angenette, Ardean, Arietta, Arnetha, Benetta, Bernette, Bonnita, Burnetta, Burnette, Carliss, Charlaine, Charletta, Charlita, Claressa, Claretta, Colletta, Coretha, Cozetta, Danetta, Darnella, Davetta, Deronda, Diannia, Dietra, Donata, Donnita, Doree, Dorenda, Earnesteen, Elvena, Eulalie, Fontella, Genetta, Harrietta, Janece, Jannett, Jobeth, Johnnetta, Jolanda, Jonetta, Jonita, Joretta, Lacinda, Lagina, Lanessa, Lanetta, Lauree, Lavella, Lavergne, Laverta, Lenetta, Linell, Loleta, Lonita, Lorenda, Lovetta, Luellen, Lurena, Lynnetta, Maralee, Mardella, Maretta, Margretta, Marlinda, Marnita, Maryetta, Maxene, Merilee, Noretta, Norita, Rayetta, Ronetta, Ronita, Sheralyn, Syretta, Trinette, Velinda, Venetta, Verneda, Vietta, Vonita, Wanetta, Wauneta, Willamina, Wynonna, Almyra, Arlyce, Arretta, Arzella, Avanell, Bennetta, Caretha, Claudetta, Coretta, Cortina, Dawnetta, Dawnita, Delberta, Devita, Donette, Donnella, Doreena, Durinda, Eldonna, Emmagene, Fayetta, Flordia, Florella, Francella, Gwenetta, Jannetta, Joanette, Joletta, Jowanna, Junella, Junetta, Karlina, Lannette, Laverle, Lenice, Levenia, Lindalee, Loletha, Lonetta, Lonette, Lorell, Lyvonne, Mardee, Marilea, Marlita, Marqueta, Marrietta, Marvetta, Marzetta, Maydell, Merinda, Monetta, Nanetta, Oretta, Orvilla, Philana, Rejeana, Richetta, Rochella, Ronnetta, Sharlette, Stephenia, Telitha, Tonetta, Ulanda, Verneta, Wannetta, Willodene, Zanetta, Arvetta, Marnette, Almetta, Alveta, Aritha, Arleatha, Armentha, Arneda, Brenetta, Carnetta, Cerita, Charman, Darletta, Darlette, Darlinda, Darlisa, Deletha, Doneta, Donzella, Durenda, Ermalee, Euretha, Evanell, Evella, Francile, Glendia, Imajean, Karletta, Kennetta, Lacheryl, Ladonne, Lafreda, Lanett, Laruth, Laurali, Lenoria, Lonnette, Loral, Lorece, Ludella, Mareta, Maridee, Maudean, Norvella, Orabelle, Oreatha, Oreta, Orvetta, Quinita, Renella, Retina, Rexann, Rickita, Rosezetta, Royetta, Shenetta, Shriley, Starletta, Suetta, Texanna, Trenita, Trinetta, Ulonda, Valoree, Vandella, Veretta, Vetta, Vincenzina, Vinetta, Virdell, Waynetta, Willeen, Wynetta
Brothers: Arthur, Leonard, Edmund, Francis, Bernard, Alvis, Baron, Delbert, Delvin, Lavon, Marlan, Derwin, Harlon, Lenwood, Rayburn, Waymon, Delray, Derral, Dewaine, Glendale, Lemont, Leotis, Levester, Linville, Lonzell, Marvelle, Rodell, Thurmon, Trampas, Autry, Carvell, Crockett, Deland, Doral, Dorrell, Lavance, Levell, Marnell, Maylon, Varnell, Arlander, Claron, Lavalle, Levaughn, Lynard, Lyndol
Names like Loretta
Names whose popularity has moved with Loretta's over the last 50 years.
