Lorelei - name meaning and origin

The girl's name Lorelei \l(o)-re-lei\ is pronounced LOR-a-lye. It is of German origin. Place name: a rocky cliff on the Rhine river, dangerous to boat passage, has been poetically personified as the Lorelei, whose singing lures men to destruction. The name has an aura of risky allure. Writer Anita Loos used this when she created blonde bombshell Lorelei Lee in her novel "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". Marilyn Monroe also added to its image with her portrayal of Lorelei in the 1953 film.

Lorelei has 13 variant forms: Laurelei, Laurelie, Loralee, Loralei, Loralie, Loralyn, Lorilee, Lorilyn, Lura, Lurette, Lurleen, Lurlene and Lurline.

Baby names that sound like Lorelei are Lorelle and Lorel.

Lorelei is a popular female first name and is not used as a surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Lorelei. Compare Lorelei with related baby names.