Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lora
GirlLatin· “variant of Laura: laurel”
- Meaning
- variant of Laura: laurel
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- LOR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,916
- US babies 2025
- 58
- Best rank
- #169 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Lora
Lora is a Latin name that means “variant of Laura: laurel”.
Lora is a variant of Laura, from Latin laurus, laurel, the plant used for victory wreaths in the ancient world. Laura was made famous by the Italian poet Petrarch, whose love poems were addressed to a woman of that name. The spelling Lora is used in Bulgarian, Italian and English, and it has a softly vintage feel. The pronunciation is LOR-uh, the same as Laura for many American speakers. Related names include Laurel, Lauren and Loretta. Lori and Lolo are natural nicknames. It offers a slightly unexpected look for parents who love the sound of Laura.
Other spellings with the same sound: Laura.
Popularity over time
Lora has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 113 different years. Its best national rank was #169 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1963, when 1,598 were named Lora. In 2025, 58 babies were named Lora, and it ranked #2,916 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #340 in 1920, #345 in 1950, #415 in 1980, #1,465 in 2000, #3,184 in 2010, and #2,916 in 2025. Of the 52,235 US girls named Lora since records began, 27% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 7,769 babies. Since 2010, 889 more have been named Lora.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Deneen, Sherrie, Robyn, Lorie, and Karla.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lora is usually pronounced LOR-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-ra”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Laura.
Middle names for Lora
A few middle names that flow with Lora: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lora
Similar names
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Lists that include Lora
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lora mean?
Lora is a Latin name that means “variant of Laura: laurel”.
What is the origin of the name Lora?
Lora has Latin roots. Lora is a variant of Laura, from Latin laurus, laurel, the plant used for victory wreaths in the ancient world.
Is Lora a popular name?
Not especially. Lora ranked #2,916 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lora a boy or girl name?
Lora is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lora?
Lora is usually pronounced LOR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings