Lori

Meaning: Its source is laurus, a Latin name meaning "The bay, or laurel, plant."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Nickname For: Laura and Lorraine

Compound Forms: Loriann, Lorianna, Lorianne, Loribeth and Lorilee

Popularity: The name Lori ranked 78th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name first made its appearance on state popularity lists before 1993, but is becoming less commonly used. In some cases, it has fallen off the lists altogether.

Narrative: In the ancient world, laurel leaves were used to fashion the crowns of victorious athletes, poets and soldiers.

As the Roman poet Ovid explains, this practice had its origins in the story of the god Apollo's pursuit of the beautiful nymph Daphne. Scorning his advances, she ran from him until he overcame her. She called on Peneus the river god for help, and he transformed her into a laurel tree.

Apollo still loved her, and took her leaves as his special symbol. As he was the god of poetry, music, science and just about every other human accomplishment, laurel crowns came to be used to adorn Apollo's champions.