Origin, Meaning, and History of Lorraine
Lorraine is a feminine given name and surname derived from the name of the Lorraine region in France and the delicacy quiche Lorraine. The region’s name means ‘Kingdom of Lothar.’ Lothar was the great-grandson of Charlemagne and a Frankish monarch. His territory was located in the part of France now known as Lorraine, or Lothringen in German from the Latin Lothari regnum, which translates to ‘Lothar’s Realm.’ The region was once part of Lothair I’s territory during the initial division of the Carolingian kingdom at the Treaty of Verdun (843 C.E.).
Besides the above, the classical name Lorraine has multiple other meanings and origins. In German origin, the name means ‘famous in battle,’ in Latin, it means ‘seagull,’ and in American origin, it means ‘from Lotharingia.’
As a surname, Lorraine might have different origins. The noble surname Lorraine came from Scotland and was first identified in Northumberland, where the family was hailed as Lords of the Manor of Kirk Hall from the time of Duke William of Normandy’s Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.
The name has been popular as a given name in the English-speaking world since the late nineteenth century, possibly due to its similar sound to Laura. It gained popularity following World War I when it was in the news as a battlefield between Germany and France.
The two-syllable name has many variations across different cultures. These include Loraine, Laraine, Lorayne, Larainne, Lorena, and Lauraine. In addition to these variants, you may also explore some of its popular nicknames, such as Lori, Lorie, Lorri, Lorinda, Lorrie, and Laurinda.
The name is quite popular in literature, media, and video games. For example, Lorraine Thompson is a character fromThe Thompsons, and Lorraine Baines McFly is a character in theBack to the Future trilogy.
How To Pronounce Lorraine?
Famous People With The Name Lorraine
- Lorraine BraccoAmerican actress, known for being nominated for an Academy Award for Godfellas and winning other accolades such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
- Lorraine EllisonAmerican singer, known for her song ‘Stay with me’
- Lorraine BroderickAmerican soap-opera writer and a protégée to the creators of All My Children, known for winning four Daytime Emmy awards
- Lorraine HansberryAmerican writer, known for being the first African-American writer to have a play staged on Broadway
Lorraine On The Popularity Chart
The name Lorraine has fluctuated in popularity over the years in the United States. Have a look at the graph to get an idea about its popularity.
Popularity Over Time
Lorraine has declined massively in popularity over time. It was quite popular in 1980 with 502 babies per million sharing the name. Explore the graph below to comprehend its popularity.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
According to the most recent Social Security Administration data in the United States, the name Lorraine thrived in 1980, with the highest rank of 431.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound To Lorraine
These names also share some of Lorraine’s sounds and could be perfect if you want a phonetically similar name.
Popular Sibling Names For Lorraine
Other Popular Names Beginning With L
Names With Similar Meaning As Lorraine
If you resonate with the interesting meanings of the name Lorraine, you may love the names below that have a similar connotations.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
lorraine
In Sign Language
lorraine
In Braille Alphabet
lorraine
In Morse Code
lorraine
Name Numerology For Lorraine
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Lorraine?
The name Lorraine means ‘kingdom of Lothar.’
2. What is the origin of the name Lorraine?
Lorraine has a French and German origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Lorraine?
Lorraine is pronounced as luh-reyn.
4. What are some nicknames for the name Lorraine?
Some popular nicknames of Lorraine include Lori, Lorie, Lor, Rainy, Raine, Lora, and Lainey. They can be changed as per the parents’ likes since nicknames need no rules to follow. The name can also differ from the given name if it sounds affectionate for the child.
5. Is Lorraine a traditional name or a modern invention?
Lorraine is a classic traditional name and a toponym from a region in eastern France and originally meant the kingdom of Lothar.
6. Is Lorraine a common name in a specific country or region?
Lorraine enjoyed its initial popularity in French, English, and German-speaking regions for its historical association. However, today, the name has become popular worldwide due to its simplicity and trendiness.
