How to say it
LOR · e · lei
ˈlɔːr.ə.laɪ
Feminine
Lorelei
Murmuring rock
What it means
German, the Rhine cliff and its legendary siren, from lureln ('to murmur') plus ley ('rock').
Lorelei is the original German spelling of the Rhine rock and the siren who, in legend, sat there singing sailors onto the shoals. Heinrich Heine's 1824 poem fixed the tale. It is the older twin of Lorelai, the spelling Gilmore Girls made famous. Romantic and a little dangerous, it shortens to Lori or Rory. The -ei ending is the German one.
How to spell Lorelei
The standard spelling is Lorelei. Common variants include Lorelai, Loreley, Loralei, but Lorelei is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #441 in 2025, currently #441 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Lorelei is the German original; Lorelai is the Gilmore Girls spelling.
- Pop culture
The singing siren of the Rhine.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Lorelei the siren of the Rhine in German legend
Spelling variants
- Lorelai
- Loreley
- Loralei
Names with the same feeling
Common questions
- What does the name Lorelei mean?
- German, the Rhine cliff and its legendary siren, from lureln ('to murmur') plus ley ('rock').
- What does Lorelei mean in German?
- In German, Lorelei means "Murmuring rock." Lorelei is the original German spelling of the Rhine rock and the siren who, in legend, sat there singing sailors onto the shoals. Heinrich Heine's 1824 poem fixed the tale. It is the older twin of Lorelai, the spelling Gilmore Girls made famous. Romantic and a little dangerous, it shortens to Lori or Rory. The -ei ending is the German one.
- How do you pronounce Lorelei?
- Lorelei is pronounced ˈlɔːr.ə.laɪ. Say it as LOR-e-lei, with the stress on the "lor" syllable.
- How do you spell Lorelei?
- The standard spelling is Lorelei. Common spelling variants include Lorelai, Loreley, Loralei.
- Is Lorelei a boy or girl name?
- Lorelei is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Lorelei?
- Lorelei ranked #441 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.