Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Lourdes
GirlFrench, Spanish· “from the French town of Lourdes”
- Meaning
- from the French town of Lourdes
- Origin
- French, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- LOOR-dehs
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,917
- US babies 2025
- 58
- Best rank
- #532 (1963)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Lourdes
Lourdes is a French and Spanish name that means “from the French town of Lourdes”.
Lourdes is the name of a town in southwestern France, famous as the site where Bernadette Soubirous reported visions of the Virgin Mary in the nineteenth century. It became one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. As a given name, often as María de Lourdes, it honors Our Lady of Lourdes and is especially common in Spanish-speaking countries. It has a graceful, devotional feel. Lulu and Lula are affectionate short forms.
Popularity over time
Lourdes first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 51 different years, starting in 1950. Its best national rank was #532 in 1963, the same year it reached its highest count of 333 babies. In 2025, 58 babies were named Lourdes, and it ranked #2,917 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,810 in 1920, #976 in 1950, #806 in 1980, #965 in 2000, #1,807 in 2010, and #2,917 in 2025. Of the 14,805 US girls named Lourdes since records began, 21% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 2,235 babies. Since 2010, 1,407 more have been named Lourdes.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Martina, Letitia, Nannette, Tena, and Leeann.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lourdes ranked highest in Michigan, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #1337 | 5 |
| California | #1392 | 17 |
| Texas | #1990 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lourdes is usually pronounced LOOR-dehs, with one syllable. It has seven letters, starts with L and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Lourdes
A few middle names that flow with Lourdes: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lourdes
Similar names
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JOOLZ
“French form of Julius” · French
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BRAY-uh
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JAYD
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mer-SAY-deez
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Lorena Girl
loh-REH-nuh
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Valencia Girl
vuh-LEN-see-uh
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Yolanda Girl
yoh-LAHN-duh
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Ines Girl
ee-NEHS
“pure, holy” · Spanish
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Dolores Girl
duh-LAWR-ihs
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Renae Girl
ruh-NAY
“variant of Renée, reborn” · French
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Jeanne Girl
JEEN
“French feminine of John, God is gracious” · French
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Guadalupe Girl
gwah-duh-LOO-pay
“from a Spanish place name” · Spanish
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Lists that include Lourdes
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lourdes mean?
Lourdes is a French and Spanish name that means “from the French town of Lourdes”.
What is the origin of the name Lourdes?
Lourdes has French and Spanish roots. Lourdes is the name of a town in southwestern France, famous as the site where Bernadette Soubirous reported visions of the Virgin Mary in the nineteenth century.
Is Lourdes a popular name?
Not especially. Lourdes ranked #2,917 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lourdes a boy or girl name?
Lourdes is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lourdes?
Lourdes is usually pronounced LOOR-dehs. 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