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12/7/2022, 9:35 PM Mike C update #113
2/12/2007, 1:03 AM Mike C earliest recorded revision

Gender Feminine
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. lə-RAYN

Meaning & History

From the name of a region in eastern France, originally meaning "kingdom of Lothar". Lothar was a Frankish king, the great-grandson of Charlemagne, whose realm was in the part of France that is now called Lorraine, or in German Lothringen (from Latin Lothari regnum). As a given name, it has been used in the English-speaking world since the late 19th century, perhaps due to its similar sound with Laura. It became popular after World War I when the region was in the news, as it was contested between Germany and France.