Loreta is a female given name of Latin origin, meaning 'laurel' or 'bay laurel'. It is derived from the Latin word 'laurus', which refers to the laurel tree and its leaves that were used to create wreaths for victorious generals in ancient Rome. Loreta was particularly popular during the Renaissance period and has since been used in various forms across different cultures, including the Italian variant Laura and the Spanish Lauretta. In some cases, it may also be associated with the Latin word 'laureata', which means 'crowned with laurel'. The name Loreta is often considered elegant and classic, reflecting its historical roots and timeless appeal.
The name Loreta experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 1225 babies named Loreta from 1900 to 2021. The most popular years were 1916 and 1920, each with 36 and 32 births respectively. However, it seems that this name has become quite rare in recent decades, with only a handful of births per year since the 1980s.