Loretta

English variation of Italian Lauretta; diminutive of Laura

"bay laurel"

Loretta Origin and Meaning

The name Loretta is a girl's name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".

Though Loretta has long ago lost its Latin flair, fashionable Sarah Jessica Parker's choice of it as the middle name of one of her twin daughters freshens it up a bit. It's one of several such names, like Anita and Rita that we can envision making a comeback.

It's a name that was once strongly associated with the glamorous, long popular movie and then TV star Loretta Young (born Gretchen), as well as country singer Loretta Lynn--who was named after Loretta Young.

Loretta Rank in US Top 1000

# 764 in the US

Loretta Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 920 on Nameberry

Loretta Popularity

• 764 US 2023
• 920 Nameberry 2024
• 14 Unique 2019
• 742 Future 2028

20 Names Similar to Loretta

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Loretta.

• Marcella
• Eleanora
• Lauretta
• Coretta
• Lenora
• Leonora
• Jolene
• Etta
• Gloria
• Lorena
• Leta
• Lisette
• Marisol
• Henrietta
• Jana
• Ramona
• Lucille
• Lenore
• Lettie
• Marjorie

Famous People Named Loretta

• Gretchen "Loretta" Young American actress
• Loretta Lynn American country music singer
• Loretta Devine American actress
• Loretta Jane Swit American actress
• Loretta Elizabeth Lynch U.S. Attorney General
• Loretta L. Sánchez U.S. Congresswoman from California
• Loretta Mae Long American actress
• Loretta Lynda Chekani Chase American romance novelist
• Loretta Lynn McEnroe (b. 2011) daughter of tennis players John McEnroe and Ashley Harkleroad
• (Marion) Loretta Elwell Broderick daughter of actors Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick

Loretta in Pop Culture

• Loretta Brown ex,wife of Cleveland Brown on TV's "Family Guy"
• Loretta Tortelli character on TV's "Cheers"
• Loretta Cancun minor character on TV's "Veronica Mars"
• Loretta Black character on TV series "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
• Loretta Martin featured in the song "Get Back" by The Beatles
• Loretta Castorini Cher's character in film "Moonstruck"
• Dr. Loretta Wade character on TV's "NCIS: New Orleans"
• Loretta Callisto character on animated series "Miles from Tomorrowland"
• Loretta Stinson Barney Stinson's mother on TV's "How I Met Your Mother"
• "Loretta " song by Townes van Zandt
• Loretta Lockhorn character in the comic strip "The Lockhorns"