Loraine

GirlFrench, English· “variant of Lorraine”

Meaning
variant of Lorraine
Origin
French, English
Pronunciation
lor-AYN
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#5,173
US babies 2025
25
Best rank
#310 (1919)
Peak year
1922

Meaning and origin of Loraine

Loraine is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Lorraine”.

Loraine is a spelling of Lorraine, the name of a region in northeastern France. The region's name comes from Lotharingia, the kingdom of Lothair, a Carolingian ruler whose name means famous army. Lorraine became a popular girls' name in the English-speaking world in the early twentieth century, and it is associated with Joan of Arc, who came from that region. It is said lor-AYN, with the stress on the second syllable. Lori and Rainey are possible nicknames. The name has a mid-century charm and a romantic French link.

Other spellings with the same sound: Lorraine, Laraine, Lorain.

Popularity over time

01252503755001900192019401960198020002020Peak 1922: 424
US babies named Loraine per year, 1880 to 2025

Loraine first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 84 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #310 in 1919, and the most babies received it in 1922, when 424 were named Loraine. In 2025, 25 babies were named Loraine, and it ranked #5,173 nationally. That is 67% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.

Its national rank moved from #330 in 1920, #634 in 1950, #1,968 in 1980, #8,339 in 2000, #6,088 in 2010, and #5,173 in 2025. Of the 17,284 US girls named Loraine since records began, 23% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 2,595 babies. Since 2010, 311 more have been named Loraine.

Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Florine, Dollie, Cornelia, Reva, and Alyce.

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for girls.

Loraine is usually pronounced lor-AYN, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with L and ends in “-ne”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lorraine, Laraine, and Lorain.

Middle names for Loraine

A few middle names that flow with Loraine: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Grace Girl
GRAYS
“grace” · English
#38
Claire Girl
KLAIR
“clear, bright” · French
#68
Savannah Girl
suh-VAN-uh
“treeless grassland” · English
#135
Violet Girl
VY-uh-liht
“violet flower” · English
#13

Sibling names for Loraine

Similar names

Maxine Girl
mak-SEEN
“greatest” · English
#497
Joanne Girl
joh-AN
“God is gracious” · English
#2,630
Roseline Girl
ROHZ-leen
“variant of Roselyn, rose” · French
#5,873
Dianne Girl
dy-AN
“variant of Diane, from Diana” · French
#5,775
Elaine Girl
ih-LAYN
“uncertain; Old French form of Helen” · French
#305
Arlene Girl
ahr-LEEN
“modern coinage; origin uncertain” · English
#1,632
Pauline Girl
paw-LEEN
“French feminine of Paul, small” · French
#2,986
Corrine Girl
kuh-REEN
“variant of Corinne: maiden” · French
#3,845
Aline Girl
uh-LEEN
“short form of Adeline, "noble"” · French
#3,464
Susanne Girl
soo-ZAN
“form of Susanna, lily” · German
#11,815
Devine Unisex
duh-VYN
“surname meaning divine” · French
#7,219
Madeline Girl
MAD-uh-lihn
“of Magdala” · English
#81

Lists that include Loraine

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Loraine mean?

Loraine is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Lorraine”.

What is the origin of the name Loraine?

Loraine has French and English roots. Loraine is a spelling of Lorraine, the name of a region in northeastern France.

Is Loraine a popular name?

Not especially. Loraine ranked #5,173 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Loraine a boy or girl name?

Loraine is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.

How do you pronounce Loraine?

Loraine is usually pronounced lor-AYN. 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