A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lou since 1880
Babies named Lou per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1954, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lou's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,364 | 119 |
| 1890s | 1,283 | 103 |
| 1900s | 1,261 | 84 |
| 1910s | 2,550 | 271 |
| 1920s | 3,930 | 352 |
| 1930s | 5,165 | 333 |
| 1940s | 4,722 | 427 |
| 1950s | 9,084 | 513 |
| 1960s | 3,037 | 413 |
| 1970s | 767 | 259 |
| 1980s | 177 | 167 |
| 1990s | 65 | 161 |
| 2000s | 85 | 159 |
| 2010s | 255 | 308 |
| 2020s | 364 | 420 |
Meaning & origin
Lou first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, and its peak year was also 1880, reflecting its early use as a nickname for Louis and Lucy. After decades of decline, it has been rising again since 1995, and in 2025 it ranked 2645th with a 1-in-24727 frequency. The name is most popular in New York and Texas, states that often favor short, vintage-style names. Its unisex appeal and simple sound make it a versatile choice for modern parents.
Lou is a unisex nickname commonly derived from Louis (from Germanic Chlodovech, meaning 'famous warrior') or Lucy (from Latin lux, 'light'). Historically used as a diminutive in both English and French traditions, it gained independent use as a given name in the 19th century, especially in the United States.
Where Lou is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lou” around the world
Where Lou lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#11
in 2024
Quebec
#84
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Sibling names for Lou
Names that share Lou's style, for a brother or sister.
