Declining since 2022, #3,167 for girls today.
Popularity of Lulu since 1880
Babies named Lulu per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,253 |
| 1890s | 2,659 |
| 1900s | 1,376 |
| 1910s | 1,484 |
| 1920s | 1,221 |
| 1930s | 647 |
| 1940s | 276 |
| 1950s | 213 |
| 1960s | 145 |
| 1970s | 113 |
| 1980s | 31 |
| 1990s | 79 |
| 2000s | 302 |
| 2010s | 565 |
| 2020s | 345 |
Meaning & origin
Lulu is a name with multiple possible origins, most often used as a nickname for Louise or Lucy in English, but also independently popular in Arabic cultures. In the U.S., it peaked in 1881 (rank 1 in its era of highest usage) and has seen a decline since 2022, consistent with its long-term falling trajectory. The name was first recorded in 1880 and is most common in New York and California. Despite its recent lower rank of 3,167 in 2022, Lulu retains a playful, vintage charm.
Lulu is a pet form of Louise or Lucy, derived from the Germanic 'Hlodowig' (famous warrior) and Latin 'Lux' (light). It also appears as a standalone name in the Arabic-speaking world, linked to 'lu'lu' meaning 'pearl'. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, often as a nickname.
Where Lulu 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.
“Lulu” around the world
Where Lulu lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lu
Variants: Loulou
Sibling names for Lulu
Names that share Lulu's style, for a brother or sister.
