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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lorilei

Lorilei

♀ Girl

Pronounced LOR-uh-lye /ˈlɔr.ə.laɪ/Medium

Meaning: A modern respelling of Lorelei — the steep rock on the Rhine and the siren of German legend, given her enduring shape by Heinrich Heine's poem. The literary root is documented; this spelling is contemporary.Low

In 30 seconds: Legend in a new coat: Lorilei respells Lorelei, the singing rock of the Rhine (said 'LOR-uh-lye').
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Origin LowGerman, English
MeaningA modern respelling of Lorelei — the steep rock on the Rhine and the siren of German legend, given her enduring shape by Heinrich Heine's poem. The literary root is documented; this spelling is contemporary.
U.S. rank (2024)#14489 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1968
Total births (all-time)≈ 270

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196819542024

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

Lorilei is a modern respelling of Lorelei, the Rhine rock and the siren who sings sailors to their doom in German literary legend. The story is nineteenth-century Romantic invention rather than old folklore, which we note honestly; the spelling here is American (said 'LOR-uh-lye').

It is very rare in the U.S. next to the standard Lorelei. Musical, romantic, and story-rich.

Did you know? Sailors on the Rhine really did founder near the Lorelei rock, where the river narrows sharply. The singing maiden came later, from poetry — a legend that feels ancient but is not.
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Lorilei — Lorelei: Rhine rock, Heine's siren poem; modern respelling

Variations

LoreleiLorelaiLorilai

Nicknames

LoriLei

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lorilei…

Lorelei— the standard spelling behind it
Lorraine— a like Lor- opening in classic use
Delilah— a like lyrical three-beat pick
Marlowe— a like literary-flavored modern choice

Explore names like Lorilei

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lorilei mean?

Lorilei respells Lorelei, the Rhine rock and its legendary siren; the spelling is modern and its routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Lorilei?

It's said LOR-uh-lye /ˈlɔr.ə.laɪ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lorilei a boy or girl name?

Lorilei is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Lorilei?

Lorilei is very rare in the U.S., far behind the standard Lorelei.

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