Lori is a name of American origin, derived from the English word "laurel". It is traditionally given to girls, although it can also be used as a boy's name in some cases.
The name Lori is believed to have been coined by American author O. Henry in his short story "The Gift of the Magi" (1905). In the story, he introduces a character named Della, who has a sister named Lori. The name gained popularity following the publication of this tale and has since become a popular choice for parents in various English-speaking countries.
Historically, the name Lori was not widely used until the mid-20th century. It peaked in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in the United States, where it reached its highest ranking on the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby names in 1968 (at number 437). Today, Lori remains a popular choice for parents, although it is less common than it was during its peak years.
In terms of meaning and symbolism, the name Lori carries no specific definition or association beyond its connection to the laurel plant. However, as with any name, personal associations and meanings can vary greatly depending on individual experiences and cultural contexts.
Overall, Lori is a name of American origin that has gained popularity due to its literary beginnings and continues to be chosen by parents for its unique sound and spelling. Despite its origins, the name does not have any specific religious or historical significance attached to it.
The name Lori has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past six decades. Between 1954 and 1960, there was a significant increase in the number of girls named Lori, with births ranging from five to forty-seven per year. The peak of this trend occurred in 1960, when seventy-six babies were given the name.
However, after 1960, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. By 1975, there were only twenty-one girls named Lori born that year. The trend continued to drop through the late seventies and early eighties, with the lowest point reached in 1982, when only nine babies were given this name.
After 1982, the popularity of the name Lori started to rise again slightly, reaching double digits by the end of the decade. Although it never regained the level of popularity it enjoyed in the sixties, the name has remained relatively steady since then, with an average of about ten births per year from 1987 onwards.
In total, over the sixty-four years from 1954 to 2017, there have been a combined total of 853 girls named Lori born in the United States. This statistic illustrates how the popularity of names can fluctuate over time and demonstrates that while Lori was once quite popular, it has since become less common as a baby name choice.