Lorelei
Lorelei is a girls' name of German origin meaning “alluring rock, murmuring cliff.” It ranked #441 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Lorelei?
LOR-eh-lye
where does the name Lorelei come from?
From a German phrase for murmuring rock or lurking rock, the name of a rock headland on the Rhine; it was not traditionally a given name in Germany. Legend tells of a maiden named Lorelei who lived on the rock and lured fishermen to their deaths with her song.
Lorelei comes from the legendary siren of the Rhine River in German folklore, who sat atop a dangerous rock and lured sailors with her enchanting singing. The name carries romantic, almost supernatural allure. Gilmore Girls popularized it in America through protagonist Lorelai Gilmore, adding a quirky, independent spirit to its mystique.
how popular is this name?
Lorelei has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 38 years since 1928, and fell outside it for 60. It peaked at #441 in 2022, and ranked #441 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #441 |
| 2024 | #454 |
| 2023 | #485 |
| 2022 | #441 |
| 2021 | #446 |
| 2020 | #504 |
| 2019 | #456 |
| 2018 | #472 |
| 2017 | #462 |
| 2016 | #450 |
| 2010 | #535 |
| 1940 | #944 |
| 1928 | #994 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Lorelei fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Lorelei
The Lorelei rock has long been notorious for shipwrecks because of the Rhine's current and the surrounding terrain, and the disasters there have drawn mythological explanations since around AD 900.
who are famous people named Lorelei?
- Lorelai Gilmore (central character in TV series Gilmore Girls)
- Lorelei Lee (character in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)
what are the nicknames and variants of Lorelei?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Lorelei?
what names go well with Lorelei?
Sibling names that share Lorelei's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Lorelei
What does the name Lorelei mean?
Lorelei means “alluring rock, murmuring cliff”.
What is the origin of the name Lorelei?
Lorelei comes from the German naming tradition. Related forms include Loreleï, Lurley, Lurelei and Lurlei.
How popular is the name Lorelei?
Lorelei ranked #441 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2022, at #441, and it has spent 38 years in the top 1,000 since 1928.
Is Lorelei a boy or girl name?
Lorelei is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Lorelei?
Lorelei is pronounced LOR-eh-lye, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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