Find out how popular the first name Lolita has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lolita by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lolita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lolita.

The history of the first name Lolita

The name Lolita originated from the Spanish diminutive form of the name Dolores, which means "sorrows" in Spanish. It was initially used as an affectionate nickname or pet name for girls named Dolores. The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly after the publication of Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel "Lolita" in 1955.

In the novel, Lolita is the name of the young protagonist, a 12-year-old girl who becomes the object of desire for the middle-aged narrator, Humbert Humbert. While the novel is a work of fiction, it explored themes of pedophilia and sexual obsession, leading to public outrage and censorship in some countries upon its release.

Despite the controversial nature of the novel, the name Lolita gained popularity as a given name, especially in Spanish-speaking countries. Some notable historical figures named Lolita include Lolita Lebrón (1919-2010), a Puerto Rican nationalist who participated in an attack on the United States House of Representatives in 1954.

Another notable Lolita was Lolita Torres (1960-2002), a Mexican actress and model who appeared in various telenovelas and films. Lolita de la Colina (1903-1990) was a renowned Mexican painter and sculptor, known for her surrealist works.

In the realm of literature, Lolita Chakrabarti is a British playwright and actress, born in 1976, known for her plays such as "Red Velvet" and "Life of Pi." Lolita Dallas (1939-2002) was an American entrepreneur and fashion designer, recognized for her contributions to the lingerie industry.

While the name Lolita has been associated with controversial themes due to Nabokov's novel, it has maintained a presence throughout history, with individuals bearing the name achieving notable accomplishments in various fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lolita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lolita, please contact us.

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