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Lori

♀ Girl

Pronounced LAWR-ee /ˈlɔɹ.i/Medium

Meaning: Diminutive of Laura, from Latin laurus 'laurel'Medium

In 30 seconds: Lori is a short form of Laura, which comes from the Latin 'laurus', meaning 'laurel'.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Latin

MeaningDiminutive of Laura, from Latin laurus 'laurel'

U.S. rank (2025)#1726 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births118 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1963

Total births (all-time)≈ 341,913

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lori began as an affectionate diminutive of Laura, a name rooted in the Latin 'laurus', the laurel. The laurel was an ancient symbol of victory and honor, which gives the name a quietly distinguished backstory. Over time Lori took on a life of its own as a standalone name.

Its breezy two-syllable sound made it a friendly, approachable choice. Two American actresses, Lori Loughlin of Full House and Lori Petty of A League of Their Own, have kept the name in public view.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Lori is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Lori — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

LaurieLorieLorindaLorriLorrie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Lori Loughlin (born 1964)
American actress best known for playing Aunt Becky on the sitcom Full House.
★Lori Petty (born 1963)
American actress and director known for films such as A League of Their Own and Tank Girl.

If you like Lori…

Laura— the fuller name Lori shortens

Laurel— draws directly on the same 'laurus' laurel meaning

Cori— shares the -ri ending

Kapri— another English name

Lizbeth— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Lori

By themeenglish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lori mean?

Lori is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Lori?

It's commonly said LAWR-ee /ˈlɔɹ.i/.

Is Lori a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Lori is used as a girl name.

How popular is Lori?

In 2024, Lori ranked #1524 in the U.S. for girls, with 141 births recorded.