Lorraine
Inherited from Middle English Loreyne, from Old French Loherraine, from loherenc (“Lotharingian”); compare Early Medieval Latin Lotharingia (ultimately named for Lothair…
Every Lorraine since 1882 — 210,845 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lorraine
Lorraine is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,044 in 2025 with 238 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 210,845 American babies have been named Lorraine. Its peak came in 1928, when 6,005 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lorraine stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lorraine year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 238 | #1,044 | — | — |
| 2024 | 157 | #1,423 | — | — |
| 2023 | 166 | #1,359 | — | — |
| 2022 | 182 | #1,302 | — | — |
| 2021 | 161 | #1,374 | — | — |
| 2020 | 157 | #1,394 | — | — |
| 2019 | 158 | #1,420 | — | — |
| 2018 | 137 | #1,582 | — | — |
| 2017 | 138 | #1,588 | — | — |
| 2016 | 144 | #1,558 | — | — |
| 2015 | 122 | #1,724 | — | — |
| 2014 | 115 | #1,791 | — | — |
| 2013 | 123 | #1,700 | — | — |
| 2012 | 88 | #2,155 | — | — |
| 2011 | 108 | #1,866 | — | — |
| 2010 | 82 | #2,329 | — | — |
| 2009 | 100 | #2,051 | — | — |
| 2008 | 122 | #1,796 | — | — |
| 2007 | 158 | #1,479 | — | — |
| 2006 | 110 | #1,856 | — | — |
| 2005 | 97 | #1,979 | — | — |
| 2004 | 128 | #1,552 | — | — |
| 2003 | 130 | #1,506 | — | — |
| 2002 | 118 | #1,579 | — | — |
| 2001 | 126 | #1,493 | — | — |
| 2000 | 164 | #1,213 | — | — |
| 1995 | 215 | #884 | — | — |
| 1990 | 341 | #654 | — | — |
| 1985 | 413 | #493 | — | — |
| 1980 | 502 | #431 | — | — |
| 1975 | 655 | #338 | — | — |
| 1970 | 1,159 | #263 | — | — |
| 1965 | 2,060 | #170 | 7 | #3,432 |
| 1960 | 3,338 | #135 | 7 | #3,530 |
| 1955 | 3,372 | #126 | 7 | #3,380 |
| 1950 | 3,344 | #105 | 10 | #2,522 |
| 1945 | 3,207 | #87 | 14 | #1,898 |
| 1940 | 2,579 | #95 | 16 | #1,771 |
| 1935 | 3,405 | #68 | 26 | #1,340 |
| 1930 | 5,166 | #46 | 40 | #1,103 |
| 1925 | 4,983 | #51 | 30 | #1,350 |
| 1920 | 3,928 | #70 | 23 | #1,625 |
| 1915 | 1,323 | #141 | 14 | #2,028 |
| 1910 | 310 | #210 | — | — |
| 1905 | 149 | #269 | 5 | #1,347 |
| 1900 | 118 | #302 | — | — |
| 1895 | 48 | #406 | — | — |
| 1890 | 25 | #530 | — | — |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,134 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Lorraine
- Lorraine Gary Actor · b. 1937
- Lorraine Bracco Actor · b. 1954
- Lorraine Hansberry Writer · 1930–1965
- Lorraine Toussaint Actor · b. 1960
- Lorraine Crapp Athlete · b. 1938
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lorraine mean?
Inherited from Middle English Loreyne, from Old French Loherraine, from loherenc (“Lotharingian”); compare Early Medieval Latin Lotharingia (ultimately named for Lothair II, who ruled it); compare Lotharingia, German Lothringen.
How popular is the name Lorraine in 2025?
Lorraine ranked #1,044 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 238 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lorraine?
210,845 babies have been named Lorraine in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lorraine most popular?
Lorraine peaked in 1928, when 6,005 newborns received the name.
Is Lorraine a boy or girl name?
Lorraine is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lorraine rising or falling?
Lorraine is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lorraine?
Well-known people named Lorraine include Lorraine Gary (actor), Lorraine Bracco (actor), Lorraine Hansberry (writer).