Lora is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "laurus," which means "laurel." In ancient Rome, laurel was a sacred plant dedicated to Apollo, the god of light and prophecy. The laurel wreath was also a symbol of victory and glory in ancient Greece and Rome. Therefore, the name Lora is often associated with nobility, wisdom, and triumph.
The name Lora has been used throughout history, but it gained popularity during the 20th century. In the United States, for instance, its usage peaked between the 1940s and 1960s. Today, Lora continues to be a popular choice for parents seeking a unique yet timeless name for their daughters.
Some famous individuals named Lora include American actress Lora Lee Michaels, known for her roles in various television shows and films during the 1980s and 1990s, and Canadian singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt, who gained international acclaim for her distinctive brand of folk music. These notable figures have helped to solidify the name Lora as one that is associated with talent, creativity, and accomplishment.
In terms of its spelling and pronunciation, Lora is typically pronounced /ˈlɔːrə/ in British English and /ˈlɑːrə/ in American English. It can also be found spelled as Lorea or Lóra in some cases. Overall, the name Lora offers a beautiful combination of history, meaning, and elegance that makes it an attractive choice for parents looking to give their daughter a memorable name.
The name Lora has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a steady increase in the number of girls named Lora each year, reaching a peak of 401 births in 1918.
However, after World War I, the popularity of the name began to decline. Between 1926 and 1931, the number of annual births named Lora dropped by more than half, from 345 to 291. This trend continued throughout the 1930s, with an average of around 270 births per year.
The post-WWII period saw a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Lora, with over 300 births each year from 1946 to 1953. However, this was short-lived, and the number of annual births named Lora began to decline once again throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1960s were a significant turning point for the name Lora, with a dramatic increase in popularity. Between 1963 and 1972, there was a sixfold increase in the number of annual births named Lora, from 1599 to 891.
Unfortunately, this peak did not last long, and the popularity of the name began to decline once again throughout the 1970s. By the early 1980s, there were fewer than 500 annual births named Lora each year, with a low point of just 204 births in 1991.
Despite this decline, the name Lora has managed to maintain some level of popularity throughout the past few decades. Between 1996 and 2023, there have been an average of around 50 annual births named Lora each year, with a recent peak of 70 births in 2020.
Overall, while the name Lora has seen many fluctuations in popularity over the past century, it has consistently remained a recognizable and meaningful name choice for parents in the United States.