Holding steady.
Popularity of Loretto since 1882
Babies named Loretto per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Loretto's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 61 |
| 1890s | 161 |
| 1900s | 122 |
| 1910s | 166 |
| 1920s | 149 |
| 1930s | 81 |
| 1940s | 77 |
| 1950s | 76 |
| 1960s | 30 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Loretto is a rare masculine name that saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly among Catholic families in the United States. First recorded in 1882, it reached its peak popularity in 1891, but it never ranked among the top 1000 names, making it a truly uncommon choice. The name is a variant of Loreto, referring to the Italian town famous for the Holy House of the Virgin Mary. Its trajectory has remained stable over the decades, with no recorded instances in recent years. While top states for the name are not available in the data, its usage was likely concentrated in communities with strong Italian or Catholic heritage. For parents seeking a name with religious significance and a vintage charm, Loretto offers a distinctive alternative to more common saints' names.
Loretto is likely a variant of Loreto, a town in central Italy whose name is of uncertain origin. The town is famous for the Basilica della Santa Casa, which according to tradition houses the house of the Virgin Mary. The name became used as a personal name among Catholic families, especially in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Loreto
Sibling names for Loretto
Names that share Loretto's style, for a brother or sister.
