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Lorraine

♀ Girl

Pronounced loh-RAYN /ləˈreɪn/Low

Meaning: From Lorraine, the land of Lothar's peopleLow

In 30 seconds: Lorraine is a French place name meaning from the Kingdom of Lotharingia, named for the Frankish king Lothair. As a girl's name it carries the elegance of the French region and has been quietly popular in English-speaking countries for over a century.
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Origin LowFrench, Germanic
MeaningFrom Lorraine, the land of Lothar's people
U.S. rank (2024)#1417 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births157 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 209,668

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818822024

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

History & Origin

Lorraine derives from the medieval Latin Lotharingia meaning land of Lothair, named for Frankish king Lothair II. The French region on the border with Germany was historically significant. As a given name it became popular in English-speaking countries in the early 20th century.

Lorraine was a popular name in the United States and United Kingdom in the mid-20th century. It has a warm vintage feel and is associated with several notable actresses and public figures.

Did you know? The name Lorraine gained particular resonance during the World Wars when the contested French region of Lorraine became a symbol of French national identity. The Cross of Lorraine became the emblem of Charles de Gaulle's Free France movement.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Lorraine

Variations

LoraineLorrayneLorayne

Nicknames

LorriLoriRaine

Famous Bearers

  • ★Lorraine Bracco (b. 1954)
    American actress known for Goodfellas and as Dr. Jennifer Melfi on The Sopranos

If you like Lorraine…

Claire— French two-syllable name of same vintage
Elaine— Same -ain ending vintage feminine name
Adrienne— Two-syllable French name of same era
Maxine— Two-syllable vintage French-flavored name

Frequently Asked

What does Lorraine mean?

Lorraine means from Lorraine, the historical French region named for Frankish king Lothair II.

Is Lorraine a French name?

Yes, Lorraine is named for the French region of Lorraine in northeastern France, historically contested between France and Germany.

How do you pronounce Lorraine?

Lorraine is pronounced loh-RAYN with two syllables.

What names are similar to Lorraine?

Similar vintage names include Elaine, Claire, and Adrienne.