Lorelei
Lorelei: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Lorelei
Root meaning: “murmuring rock or lurking rock”
- A female given name from German.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Lorelei (“murmuring rock or lurking rock”), but not used as a given name in Germany. The Lorelei (or Lorelei, Loreleï, Lore Lay, Lore-Ley, Lurley, Lurelei, Lurlei) is an infamous maritime disaster site because of the Rhine's current and the surrounding terrain. The shipwrecks have been subject to mythological explanation attempts since around 900 AD.
How popular is Lorelei?
Since 1880, 18,189 girls in the U.S. have been named Lorelei. Its highest rank for girls was #441 in 2025. In 2025 it ranked #441 for girls, with 699 babies given the name.
Names similar to Lorelei
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More German girl names
Sibling name ideas for Lorelei
Sister and brother names that share Lorelei's German roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Lorelei FAQ
What does the name Lorelei mean?
Lorelei traces back to a root meaning "murmuring rock or lurking rock". A female given name from German. Borrowed from German Lorelei (“murmuring rock or lurking rock”), but not used as a given name in Germany. The Lorelei (or Lorelei, Loreleï, Lore Lay, Lore-Ley, Lurley, Lurelei, Lurlei) is an infamous maritime disaster site because of the Rhine's current and the surrounding terrain. The shipwrecks have been subject to mythological explanation attempts since around 900 AD.
What is the origin of the name Lorelei?
Lorelei is listed as a name of German origin.
How popular is the name Lorelei?
Since 1880, 18,189 girls in the U.S. have been named Lorelei. Its highest rank for girls was #441 in 2025. In 2025 it ranked #441 for girls, with 699 babies given the name.
Is Lorelei a boy or girl name?
Lorelei is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 18,189 girls and 0 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.