Loreta
Loreta was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1916, when it ranked 1203rd with 36 babies. More babies were named Loreta in the 1930s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Loretta) little Laura; or from Loreto · Italian, Latin
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedgirls
- Babies in 2025
- 0girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 191636 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,225babies recorded
What does the name Loreta mean?
Loreta is a spelling of Loretta, pronounced the same way, so it shares Loretta's meaning and origin.
Loretta is a variant of Lauretta, an Italian diminutive of Laura, or a form of Loreto, according to Wiktionary. Laura itself is of obscure origin, DMNES says, though it is likely related to Laurence and the laurel. Wiktionary gives a pronunciation with the stress on the second syllable, luh-RET-uh. Loretta has been used in the US since 1880 and was most popular in the 1930s.
Lauretta (Italian, “little Laura”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Two possible sources (Laura, or the shrine town of Loreto); Laura's own origin is obscure (DMNES).
Related names: Lauretta, Laura, Lora, Retta.
See also: Italian names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Loretta' (English section), Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Laura', DMNES (Durham University)
- US Social Security Administration, national baby-name data 1880-2025 (yob*.txt), team3 computation of first year recorded, US Social Security Administration (public domain)
Loreta popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1970 | #4,939 | 11 |
| 1960 | #3,603 | 13 |
| 1950 | #3,157 | 12 |
| 1940 | #2,164 | 15 |
| 1930 | #2,075 | 17 |
| 1920 | #1,426 | 32 |
| 1910 | #1,304 | 13 |
| 1900 | #1,848 | 6 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Loreta, counting every spelling?
Loreta is a spelling of Loretta, a name family that ranked #599 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 496 girls in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Loreta?
About 400 people born in the US named Loreta are alive today, with a median age of 69; half are between 56 and 79. That makes Loreta a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Loreta by state
How common Loreta was among girls born in each state in 1914–1918, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Texas (5.6×). In 49 states fewer than five girls a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Loreta: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Loreta, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Loreta
What does Loreta mean?
Loreta is a spelling of Loretta, usually explained as “little Laura; or from Loreto”, but this is uncertain. Certainty: uncertain.
How popular is the name Loreta?
Loreta was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1916, when it ranked 1203rd with 36 babies. More babies were named Loreta in the 1930s than in any other decade.
Is Loreta a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Loreta in the US.
Where was Loreta most popular?
In 1914–1918, Loreta was most common in Oklahoma (0.17 per 1,000 girls), followed by Texas and Texas.