Lorraine

Lorraine is a feminine given name derived from the name of a historic region in eastern France. The region's name originates from the medieval kingdom of Lotharingia, which in turn comes from the personal name of Lothar—a Frankish king and great-grandson of Charlemagne. Lotharingia, meaning "kingdom of Lothar" (from Latin Lothari regnum), was established in the 9th century after the division of the Carolingian Empire. Over time, the territory evolved into the Duchy of Lorraine, which was annexed by France in 1766 and later became an administrative region. In German, the region is called Lothringen, further underscoring its connection to the name Lothar.

History of the Region

The area known today as Lorraine has a rich history rooted in the medieval Kingdom of Lotharingia (855–959 AD), named after either Emperor Lothair I or King Lothair II. This kingdom initially stretched further north than the modern region and was split into upper and lower duchies. The lower duchy faded by the 12th century, but the upper duchy endured as the Duchy of Lorraine. For centuries, the duchy was a contentious territory between French and German influence, eventually becoming part of France in 1766 along with the Duchy of Bar. From 1982 to 2016, Lorraine was an administrative region of France before it was merged into the larger region of Grand Est.

Adoption as a Given Name

Lorraine began to be used as a given name in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century, possibly due to its phonetic similarity to the popular name Laura. Its usage surged after World War I, when the region of Lorraine frequently appeared in news reports as a contested area between Germany and France. The name's association with a historic, romanticized region contributed to its appeal. Variants include Laraine, Loraine, Lorayne, Lauraine, and Lorainne. Common diminutives are Lori, Lorie, Lorinda, Lorri, and Lorrie. In Spanish, the equivalent Lorena 1 is used.

• Meaning: "kingdom of Lothar" (from the region of Lorraine)
• Origin: French place name, ultimately from Latin Lothari regnum
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage regions: English-speaking countries (especially post-WWI), also Spanish-speaking countries (as Lorena)