Lorelei originates in Germanic languages and means "woman from enticing rock". It is taken from the name of a rock on the eastern bank of the river Rhine in Germany. It is considered the narrowest part of the river between Switzerland and the North Sea. Due to that there have always been many ship accidents and according to the legend, there is a maid named Lorelei living on the rock, luring ships towards it. As a feminine given name Lorelei is very rare in the United States.