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Lorna Girl

Popularity: #900 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationLOR-nah / /ˈlɔːrnə/

Scottish; English

Meaning

Scottish: laurel; English: unknown

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lorna is believed to have originated from the literary work "Lorna Doone," a novel published in 1869 by the English author R.D. Blackmore. The name itself is thought to have been inspired by the fictional character Lorna Doone, who is depicted as a strong and romantic figure in the story. The etymology of Lorna is less clear, but it may derive from the Scottish place name "Lorn," which refers to a region in Argyll, Scotland. This connection to a geographical location suggests a link to the natural landscape and heritage of Scotland, although the exact linguistic roots remain uncertain.

The novel "Lorna Doone" became widely popular in Victorian England, contributing to the name's recognition and usage. The character Lorna is often associated with themes of love, adventure, and resilience, which may have contributed to the name's appeal. The 19th century was a significant period for the proliferation of literary names, as authors frequently influenced naming trends through their characters. Blackmore's work not only captured the imagination of readers but also solidified the name Lorna in the cultural consciousness of the time.

Culturally, the name Lorna has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including adaptations of the novel into film and theater, which further entrenched its significance in English literature. The name evokes a sense of romanticism and nostalgia, often linked to the pastoral and idyllic settings described in Blackmore's narrative. While diminutive forms such as Lornie may exist, the name Lorna itself has maintained a distinct identity, rooted in its literary origins and the character's enduring legacy.

Trend Summary

Lorna has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the mid-20th century and becoming less common in recent decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Lorn
  • Lornae

International Variants

  • Lorna (Spanish)
  • Lorna (Italian)

Famous people named Lorna

Lorna Luft is an actress and singer best known for Grease, The Wizard of Oz, and her work on Broadway.

Lorna Simpson is an artist best known for her photography and video installations exploring race and identity.

Lorna Shore is a deathcore band best known for their albums Flesh Coffin, Immortal, and Pain Remains.

Fictional characters named Lorna

Lorna Dane is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is also known as Polaris, a mutant with the ability to manipulate magnetism, and is a prominent member of the X-Men.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lorna was first seen in the United States in 1885. Lorna has ranked as high as #567 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, New York, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Lorna has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Lorna (2024)

StateBirthsShare
FL 5
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18856
18886
18895
18918
189212
189317
189414
189519
189620
189724
189828
189921
190030
190126
190226
190331
190438
190531
190638
190741
190841
190951
191051
191185
1912104
1913109
1914135
1915204
1916218
1917211
1918218
1919222
1920234
1921277
1922249
1923364
1924304
1925334
1926295
1927320
1928348
1929296
1930328
1931390
1932386
1933324
1934309
1935329
1936290
1937313
1938330
1939367
1940416
1941464
1942518
1943441
1944388
1945428
1946426
1947475
1948432
1949440
1950463
1951514
1952662
1953721
1954707
1955740
1956705
1957758
1958688
1959691
1960678
1961592
1962561
1963484
1964523
1965510
1966360
1967368
1968280
1969295
1970234
1971207
1972173
1973125
1974144
1975133
1976104
197799
197897
197980
198084
198193
198276
198391
1984108
1985112
1986116
198780
198877
198982
199068
199172
199277
199392
199479
199570
199687
199762
199862
199978
200069
200180
200264
200381
200465
200569
200667
200751
200846
200938
201033
201128
201247
201339
201434
201536
201628
201731
201837
201945
202053
202136
202240
202341
202450