Lori

English spelling variation of Laurie; diminutive of Laura
"from Laurentium or bay laurel"

Lori Origin and Meaning

The name Lori is a girl's name of English origin meaning "from Laurentium or bay laurel".

Lori, with this sleek modern spelling, was an extremely popular name in the middle of the 20th century, ranking among the Top 100 girls' names from the early 1950s until the early 1980s.

But it was that very popularity that sent the name plummeting in popularity, as all the Baby Boomers named Lori began having babies of their own, making Lori (and Laurie) a mom name.

As Lori waned, Lauren rose, reigning at the top of the charts from the eighties through the oughties.

And now that Lauren too is becoming a mom name, what's taking its place? Classic Laura, matriarch of all the Loris, Lauries, and Laurens, is showing signs of revival in the US and ranking in the girls' Top 100 in many diverse European countries, cultures, and languages.

So baby Laura named in honor on grandma Lori brings the name full circle -- with today's little Lauras perhaps naming their own baby girls Lori and Laurie.

# 955 in the US

Lori Rank in US Top 1000

Lori Popularity

Famous People Named Lori

  • Lori Beth Denberg
    American comedienne
  • Lori Anne Loughlin
    American actress
  • Lori McNeil
    American tennis player
  • Lori Singer
    American actress
  • Lori Balmer
    Australian pop singer
  • Lori Fullington aka Peaches
    American pro wrestler
  • Lori Black
    American musician formerly of The Melvins, daughter of actress/diplomat Shirley Temple Black
  • Lori Lynn Lively
    American actress
  • Lori Petty
    American actress
  • Lori Foster
    American romance novelist
  • Lori Dungey
    New Zealand actress
  • Lori Cardille
    American actress
  • Lori Helene Berenson
    American revolutionary and activist
  • Lori Christine Chalupny
    American soccer player

Lori in Pop Culture

  • Lori Grimes
    character on TV's "The Walking Dead"
  • Lori Collins
    character in the movie "Ted"
  • Lori Lemaris
    mermaid in DC Comics
  • Lori Zechlin aka Black Alice
    character in DC Comics
  • Lori
    character in anime "Zatch Bell!"
  • Lori Loud
    a character in the Nickelodeon cartoon "The Loud House"