A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Louis since 1880
Babies named Louis per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Louis's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 8,275 |
| 1890s | 8,442 |
| 1900s | 10,372 |
| 1910s | 50,600 |
| 1920s | 67,693 |
| 1930s | 47,754 |
| 1940s | 49,430 |
| 1950s | 47,933 |
| 1960s | 33,382 |
| 1970s | 20,145 |
| 1980s | 17,354 |
| 1990s | 14,436 |
| 2000s | 10,262 |
| 2010s | 11,815 |
| 2020s | 8,577 |
Meaning & origin
Louis is a distinguished and enduring name of Germanic origin, meaning 'famous warrior'. It entered the English-speaking world via the French form, borne by a long line of French kings, most famously Saint Louis (Louis IX). The name has two common pronunciations in English: 'LOO-ee' (like the French) and 'LOO-is' (anglicized). In the United States, Louis has been in steady use since records began in 1880. Its peak year came early on, in 1908, when it ranked much higher than today. After a period of decline, Louis has been on an upward trajectory since 2008, now ranking 249th in 2025 with approximately 1 in 1,228 baby boys receiving the name. During the 1900s, the name experienced a revival, and it remains particularly popular in states such as Vermont, the District of Columbia, and South Dakota. The name's classic elegance, royal heritage, and friendly nicknames like Lou and Louie contribute to its lasting appeal.
Louis is the French form of the Old Frankish name Chlodowig, which was Latinized as Ludovicus and later became Clovis. It is composed of the Germanic elements 'hlud' meaning 'fame' and 'wig' meaning 'warrior'. The name was borne by numerous French kings, notably Louis IX (Saint Louis), and was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest. It has remained in steady use across Europe and North America, with variant spellings and pronunciations reflecting its widespread adoption.
Where Louis 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.
“Louis” around the world
Where Louis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#3
in 2024
Ireland
48
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#33
in 2025
Quebec
#5
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#55
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, Louie, Lewis
Variants: Lewis, Luis, Luigi, Ludwig, Lodewijk, Ludovico, Ludvík, Aloysius
Sibling names for Louis
Names that share Louis's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Alice, Clara, Eleanor, Margaret, Beatrice, Aimee, Alma, Emilie, Jeanne, Jeannette, Louise, Marianne, Marie, Pauline, Renee, Susanne, Yvette, Yvonne, Amelie, Anette, Antoinette, Cecile, Charline, Claudie, Denice, Evette, Francine, Helene, Jacquelin, Jeanine, Josette, Lisette, Lissette, Lucie, Lucile, Marguerite, Marin, Nanette, Noella, Renae, Therese, Albertine, Babette, Charise, Henriette, Ivon, Laurette, Leonie, Lizzette, Londa, Louanna, Lynna, Marchelle, Paulene, Yolande, Ambre, Annett, Cecille, Clotilde, Francoise, Ginette, Jeanett, Jeannene, Josee, Lisanne, Loise, Loreta, Lorette, Loula, Lysette, Manon, Marcelene, Mariane, Mariette, Minette, Odile, Reine, Rosette, Simonne, Susette, Toinette, Victorine, Yvonna, Yvonnie, Ange, Anntoinette, Bernardette, Berthe, Bonne, Fleurette, Jeannemarie, Junette, Lilas, Litha, Lourene, Lucette, Lucillie, Ludy, Lurine, Lydie, Machele, Marise, Marthe, Noelie, Regine, Robertine, Rosine, Suzane, Yavonne, Yevonne, Antoinett, Aloise, Bernese, Burnadette, Charlot, Francille, Geanette, Geneive, Lazette, Loucille, Lounell, Lousie, Marcele, Marguriete, Marieanne, Marilene, Rennee, Susane, Yvone
Brothers: Henry, Charles, Arthur, Frederick, George, Antoine, Claude, Denis, Francis, Martin, Rene, Walter, Armand, Clovis, Emile, Francois, Gustave, Henri, Jacque, Jacques, Pierre, Antione, Christophe, Gaston, Jeanpaul, Mathis, Philippe, Raoul, Yves, Antoin, Auguste, Barnie, Danton, Duval, Edouard, Georges, Hebert, Jacquel, Jeanluc, Jeanpierre, Jehan, Lasalle, Leotis, Romain, Leonce, Lestat, Liston, Phillippe, Roch, Thelonious, Theophile, Alcee, Franck, Philipe
Names like Louis
Names whose popularity has moved with Louis's over the last 50 years.
