Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, better known as Lorde, chose her stage name at age 16 out of a fascination with nobility—explaining she simply added an “e” to the masculine Lord to feminize it and imbue it with aristocratic flair, a detail she revealed in an interview captured on Teen Vogue. This name underscores her artistic identity: elegant, rebellious, and self-defining.
Virgin: A Raw Portrait of Evolving Femininity
In a powerful interview with Le Monde, Lorde shared that with Virgin, she aimed “to document my femininity at this specific age,” capturing a moment of transition and self-awareness that she knew would shift over time. The album, released on June 27, 2025, carries an X-ray–style pelvis cover that visually embodies the themes of vulnerability and transparency she explores in its tracks—a creative choice detailed on Wikipedia’s entry for Virgin and celebrated by People for its bold honesty.
Gender Fluidity and the Power of Identity
Lorde delved into her evolving sense of gender identity in discussions with Far Out Magazine, stating she never felt fully like a woman until turning 26. Influenced by the androgynous presence of artists like David Bowie and Grace Jones—and encouraged by her mother—she came to see strength in straddling gender norms, articulating that “part of womanhood is sometimes being a man.” (Far Out Magazine captures this revealing insight.)
Other outlets like International Business Times UK and Vulture further report how Lorde encapsulates gender as fluid, asserting that her music and persona reflect that blend of masculine and feminine energies. 
Why Virgin Resonates: Themes, Sound, and Risk
Virgin marks a departure from earlier, metaphor-rich records like Melodrama, opting instead for raw, unfiltered lyrics addressing unprotected sex (“Clearblue”), personal insecurities (“Broken Glass”), and maternal tension (“Favourite Daughter”). This candid, emotionally raw direction mirrors a broader pop trend celebrating imperfection, as highlighted in Business Insider’s review of the album, positioning Lorde as a bold voice willing to embrace vulnerability.
Album Symbolism: Art Meets Identity
The Virgin album’s artwork—a translucent pelvic X-ray emblazoned with a belt buckle and IUD—symbolizes themes of bodily autonomy, transparency, and tech-meets-mysticism. Lorde described this design choice in a conversational tone, noting that through ultrasounds and X-rays she found new ways to visually express her synesthetic connection to music and self. These details are thoughtfully catalogued on the album’s Wikipedia page.
Global Tour and Fan Connections
To support Virgin, Lorde will embark on her Ultrasound World Tour beginning September 17, 2025, in Austin, Texas, followed by sold-out dates across the UK and Europe. This world tour reflects not just her growing classic status but also the deeply personal connection she’s fostered through her music and open exploration of identity. (€BollywoodShaadis* details her real name and touring plans.)
Additionally, she recently surprised fans with a spontaneous appearance at a Lorde-themed nightclub party in Sydney, reinforcing her reputation as an immersive and unpredictable performer, as reported by News.com.au.
Symbolism Behind the Title Virgin
On Virgin, Lorde reexamines the term’s etymological roots. Rather than denote sexual innocence, she embraces its ancient image of an independent, unclipped identity—a being whole in their own right. One caption on her Instagram hints at interpretations linking “virgin” to androgyny or purity akin to “virgin metals,” which she finds powerful and autonomous. Los40.com articulates her vision of the title as both mythological and modern.
FAQs
Who is Lorde, and what’s her real name?
Lorde is the stage name of New Zealand-born artist Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, a name chosen for its aristocratic tenor made feminine with an added “e.”
What themes does Virgin explore?
Virgin is a deeply personal record exploring femininity, androgyny, and identity. Lorde described it to Le Monde as a document of her evolving femininity.
How does Lorde understand gender?
She has said she never fully felt like a woman until age 26 and that part of womanhood includes moments of being a man—views she shared candidly in Far Out Magazine.
What’s behind the bold album artwork?
The Virgin cover features a pelvis X-ray, symbolizing Lorde’s embrace of transparency and body exploration. She highlighted its mystical-technical tone and connection to her synesthetic inspiration on Wikipedia’s album page.
When and where will Lorde tour?
Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour will kick off on September 17, 2025, in Austin and includes appearances across North America and the UK, following sold-out dates and surprise performances like her Sydney nightclub visit.
