Loretto is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Boone County, Nebraska, United States.

[4] Loretto was originally called Loran, in honor of Loran Clark, a pioneer settler, but when it was discovered another town of that name already existed elsewhere in the state, it was renamed Loretto in order to avoid repetition.

[9] At its peak in the 1920s Loretto was also home to a cheese factory, several general stores, a butcher shop, and hotel.

[10] Loretto is located in north-central Boone County along Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Loup River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Loretto CDP has a total area of 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), all land.