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Lorretta

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How to Pronounce Lorretta

Pronounced luh-RET-uh /ləˈrɛt.ə/Medium

Meaning: Lorretta is a double-r variant of Loretta. Loretta comes from the Italian sanctuary of Loreto, home of a famous shrine to the Virgin Mary, and its sound also recalls Latin laurus, 'laurel,' the emblem of honor. The extra r is an American spelling flourish, not a change of meaning.Medium

In 30 seconds: Lorretta is a variant spelling of Loretta, a name tied to the Marian shrine of Loreto and echoing laurel. This form crested in the mid-1950s, around 1957.

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Origin MediumItalian, Latin

MeaningLorretta is a double-r variant of Loretta. Loretta comes from the Italian sanctuary of Loreto, home of a famous shrine to the Virgin Mary, and its sound also recalls Latin laurus, 'laurel,' the emblem of honor. The extra r is an American spelling flourish, not a change of meaning.

U.S. rank (2000)#16516 ↘ Falling

2000 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,708

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

Lorretta shares everything but a letter with Loretta. The parent name honors Our Lady of Loreto, the Italian shrine, and carries a secondary echo of the laurel wreath of victory. American parents in the mid-century era, fond of ornamental spellings, sometimes doubled the r — giving this variant its own modest run.

Its crest in the late nineteen-fifties places Lorretta squarely in the grandmother generation today. Like Loretta, it has stayed dated rather than revived, though the wider vintage-name revival could eventually carry the classic spelling back before this ornamental one.

Did you know? Lorretta rides the coattails of Loretta, which was fashionable through the mid-twentieth century. This doubled-r spelling crested around 1957 at roughly five dozen girls a year — a small shadow of the main spelling, chosen by families who liked the look of the extra letter.

Overall data confidence 65%

References — Lorretta — variant of Loretta (shrine of Loreto; echo of laurel); mid-century ornamental spelling

Variations

LorettaLaurettaLoreta

Nicknames

RettaLoriEtta

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lorretta…

Loretta— the standard spelling this variant is built from

Juanita— a like mid-century three-beat name of the era

Rosetta— shares the soft -etta ending and vintage feel

Laretta— shares the -ta ending

Augusta— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Lorretta

By themevintage variant honor mid-century

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lorretta mean?

Lorretta is a spelling of Loretta, linked to the Marian shrine of Loreto and echoing laurel; it shares Loretta's meaning.

How do you pronounce Lorretta?

It's said luh-RET-uh — three syllables, stress in the middle, just like Loretta.

Is Lorretta a boy or girl name?

Lorretta is a girl's name.

Is Lorretta making a comeback?

This doubled-r spelling remains dated; if any form returns with the vintage revival, it is likelier to be the standard Loretta.