A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Louie since 1880
Babies named Louie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Louie's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 226 | 394 |
| 1890s | 231 | 441 |
| 1900s | 213 | 628 |
| 1910s | 463 | 2,784 |
| 1920s | 392 | 4,226 |
| 1930s | 231 | 3,482 |
| 1940s | 143 | 3,507 |
| 1950s | 116 | 3,437 |
| 1960s | 81 | 2,495 |
| 1970s | 49 | 1,771 |
| 1980s | 22 | 1,320 |
| 1990s | 0 | 1,134 |
| 2000s | 0 | 964 |
| 2010s | 47 | 1,907 |
| 2020s | 132 | 2,502 |
Meaning & origin
Louie is a classic diminutive of Louis that has maintained steady use for over a century. First recorded in 1880, it peaked in 1901 and saw a decline through the mid-20th century before beginning a resurgence in 2003. The name was most common in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska in recent years. With a current rank of 596 in 2025, it remains a familiar yet not overly common choice, striking a balance between tradition and modern revival.
Louie is an English and French variant of Louis, derived from the Old Frankish name Chlodowig, composed of the elements hlod ('fame') and wig ('war'). It was the name of several French kings and saints, and became common in the English-speaking world via Norman influence.
Where Louie is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Louie” around the world
Where Louie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
55
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#30
in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#45
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lou
Sibling names for Louie
Names that share Louie's style, for a brother or sister.
