A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lorraine since 1882
Babies named Lorraine per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 73 |
| 1890s | 440 |
| 1900s | 1,595 |
| 1910s | 15,729 |
| 1920s | 49,939 |
| 1930s | 36,333 |
| 1940s | 33,047 |
| 1950s | 33,593 |
| 1960s | 22,251 |
| 1970s | 7,002 |
| 1980s | 4,109 |
| 1990s | 2,270 |
| 2000s | 1,253 |
| 2010s | 1,215 |
| 2020s | 1,061 |
Meaning & origin
Lorraine, a name with French origins as a geographic reference to the region in France, saw its greatest popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. It peaked in 1928, and after a long decline, the name has been rising in popularity since 2011. Today, about 1 in every 6,753 newborn girls is named Lorraine, placing it at rank 1043. The name is especially favored in states like Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. Its revival in recent years suggests a renewed appreciation for this classic, melodic name.
Lorraine is a place name referring to a region in northeastern France. The name ultimately derives from Latin Lotharingia, the kingdom of Lothar II, a 9th-century Frankish king. It became a popular given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where it was often chosen as a feminine name.
Where Lorraine 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.
“Lorraine” around the world
Where Lorraine lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lori, Rain, Lainey
Sibling names for Lorraine
Names that share Lorraine's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Genevieve, Celeste, Nanette, Bernadette, Colette, Charmaine, Deanne, Deloise, Dorene, Earlene, Georganne, Helaine, Janine, Johnette, Julieann, Laureen, Lynnette, Nadene, Verlene, Arlean, Arnita, Blondell, Charlean, Deneen, Denese, Dennise, Donielle, Dorine, Francie, Genell, Genelle, Glennis, Janiece, Jeanene, Julene, Karlene, Korinne, Loralee, Margene, Nadean, Tonette, Toniann, Willene, Arlynn, Carianne, Carlean, Carlen, Carlette, Carren, Charmain, Charmane, Cherese, Chrisann, Corianne, Danice, Delene, Delorse, Denine, Donnabelle, Dorianne, Dyanne, Geraldean, Harlene, Jackquline, Janeice, Janith, Jeaneen, Jenean, Jeneane, Jeniece, Jerene, Jestine, Jewelene, Jillene, Jodean, Jodene, Karene, Kariann, Karianne, Karilyn, Lajune, Lorenda, Marilynne, Marlynn, Marvene, Marvine, Maybelline, Montine, Raymona, Rolinda, Ronelle, Ronette, Sandrea, Sebrena, Sharene, Sharone, Sherene, Tahnee, Tinamarie, Verlee, Verline, Walterine, Wynell, Wynelle, Caroleen, Connee, Danene, Darcelle, Davene, Diahann, Doraine, Dorraine, Earlyne, Faylene, Gearline, Glorianne, Jeanean, Jearlean, Jillaine, Jodine, Joyceann, Julane, Justeen, Karelyn, Korine, Ladoris, Loann, Lorian, Marieann, Marlane, Marlise, Morene, Myrlene, Norrine, Raejean, Rogena, Rojean, Rosland, Roxine, Sharmane, Sharonne, Sherrian, Sheryn, Chermaine, Janace, Luwanna, Sharmain, Angelamarie, Annjanette, Ardine, Charlestine, Charmon, Charrise, Cherylene, Daleen, Deloyce, Donnice, Doranne, Dorinne, Doristine, Dorreen, Dorrine, Elmarie, Forrestine, Geanine, Genean, Gerene, Glennette, Janyth, Jeananne, Jillane, Jillayne, Joanmarie, Jolayne, Juanette, Julanne, Jurline, Kathyann, Kimmarie, Lanise, Lauriann, Lorece, Luane, Marchele, Marene, Marsheila, Murline, Renaye, Royanne, Shalona, Sharlena, Sharlett, Sharonna, Shelbia, Sheriann, Tracyann, Wilene
Brothers: Maurice, Leonard, Claude, Julian, Raymond, Curtis, Evon, Vernell, Lavell, Pernell, Verlyn, Carlon, Darrold, Deonne, Dewain, Gaylan, Jeral, Lawayne, Rondel, Shadrick, Shermaine, Sherod, Terril, Clevon, Darvell, Garon, Gregrey, Orlen, Dareld, Duwane, Kirtis, Leroi, Marrell, Norlan
Names like Lorraine
Names whose popularity has moved with Lorraine's over the last 50 years.
