Louis Boy

Popularity: #239 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LOO-ee /luː.i/

Origin: French; Latin

Meaning: Famous warrior (Latin); Renowned fighter (French)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Louis has its roots in the Germanic name "Chlodovech," which is composed of the elements "hlud" meaning "famous" and "wig" meaning "warrior." This name evolved into the Old High German form "Ludwig" before being adapted into Latin as "Ludovicus." The transition into French occurred during the medieval period, where it became "Louis," a name that gained prominence in the Frankish kingdom. The name was introduced into English through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, becoming more widely recognized in the English-speaking world thereafter.

Historically, the name Louis is notably associated with several French kings, including Louis IX, who reigned in the 13th century and was canonized as a saint in 1297. His reign is marked by significant developments in French law and governance, and he is often remembered for his piety and dedication to justice.

The name also appears in various historical texts, including the works of medieval chroniclers who documented the lives of these monarchs. The use of Louis in royal contexts helped solidify its status as a name of nobility and leadership.

Culturally, the name Louis has been embraced in various European traditions, symbolizing strength and nobility. It has been borne by numerous notable figures, including artists, writers, and musicians, contributing to its enduring legacy.

The diminutive form "Lou" has also emerged, reflecting a more informal and affectionate usage. The name's historical significance and associations with leadership and valor have ensured its continued resonance in various cultures, making it a name of lasting importance.

Famous people named Louis

In this section, you will find notable people named Louis. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Louis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Louis who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Louis Armstrong is a musician best known for What a Wonderful World, Hello, Dolly!, and West End Blues.

Louis Pasteur is a scientist best known for developing the germ theory of disease, pasteurization, and vaccines for rabies and anthrax.

Louis Vuitton is a fashion designer best known for founding the luxury brand Louis Vuitton and creating iconic travel trunks.

Louis C.K. is a comedian and filmmaker best known for his television series Louie, Horace and Pete, and his stand-up specials.

Louis Farrakhan is a religious leader best known for leading the Nation of Islam and organizing the Million Man March.

Louis Moinet is an inventor best known for creating the first chronograph and contributions to watchmaking.

Louis de Funès is an actor best known for his roles in the films La Grande Vadrouille, Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob, and Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez.

Louis Riel is a historical figure best known for leading the Red River and North-West Rebellions in Canada.

Louis Althusser is a philosopher best known for his work in Marxist theory and the concept of ideological state apparatuses.

Louis Braille is an inventor best known for creating the Braille system for reading and writing for the visually impaired.

Fictional characters named Louis

The following list of fictional characters named Louis is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Louis is a fictional character from the novel and film Interview with the Vampire. He is a vampire who struggles with his identity and morality after being turned by Lestat.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Louis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

CharlesHenryEdwardJamesThomasGeorge

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Louis. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

LucienLeonLorenzoLucaLiamLandonLyleLorenLazaro

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Louis was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Louis has ranked as high as #65 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Louis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Louis is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Louis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Louis.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,397 1,391 6
2024 1,510 1,510 0
2023 1,483 1,478 5
2022 1,447 1,442 5
2021 1,422 1,422 0
2020 1,340 1,334 6
2019 1,480 1,475 5
2018 1,388 1,388 0
2017 1,302 1,302 0
2016 1,242 1,242 0
2015 1,215 1,210 5
2014 1,229 1,229 0
2013 1,070 1,070 0
2012 1,057 1,057 0
2011 921 921 0
2010 921 921 0
2009 885 885 0
2008 909 909 0
2007 937 937 0
2006 1,001 1,001 0
2005 1,002 1,002 0
2004 1,051 1,051 0
2003 1,103 1,103 0
2002 1,148 1,143 5
2001 1,096 1,096 0
2000 1,140 1,135 5
1999 1,143 1,143 0
1998 1,181 1,181 0
1997 1,311 1,311 0
1996 1,290 1,283 7
1995 1,370 1,361 9
1994 1,421 1,411 10
1993 1,589 1,582 7
1992 1,624 1,619 5
1991 1,730 1,725 5
1990 1,835 1,820 15
1989 1,851 1,834 17
1988 1,723 1,707 16
1987 1,692 1,683 9
1986 1,710 1,686 24
1985 1,704 1,685 19
1984 1,727 1,711 16
1983 1,778 1,762 16
1982 1,711 1,694 17
1981 1,828 1,805 23
1980 1,807 1,787 20
1979 1,852 1,839 13
1978 1,773 1,753 20
1977 1,882 1,865 17
1976 1,804 1,781 23
1975 1,825 1,812 13
1974 1,949 1,932 17
1973 1,917 1,905 12
1972 2,123 2,102 21
1971 2,532 2,514 18
1970 2,664 2,642 22
1969 2,647 2,623 24
1968 2,737 2,709 28
1967 2,916 2,895 21
1966 3,016 2,992 24
1965 3,288 3,270 18
1964 3,600 3,585 15
1963 3,635 3,620 15
1962 3,616 3,595 21
1961 3,984 3,965 19
1960 4,153 4,128 25
1959 4,340 4,311 29
1958 4,468 4,445 23
1957 4,723 4,695 28
1956 4,937 4,910 27
1955 4,798 4,779 19
1954 4,866 4,848 18
1953 5,017 4,985 32
1952 4,947 4,924 23
1951 5,117 5,089 28
1950 4,974 4,947 27
1949 5,265 5,235 30
1948 5,415 5,386 29
1947 5,804 5,778 26
1946 4,947 4,918 29
1945 4,510 4,480 30
1944 4,699 4,678 21
1943 5,062 5,033 29
1942 5,173 5,151 22
1941 4,477 4,447 30
1940 4,356 4,324 32
1939 4,251 4,224 27
1938 4,412 4,390 22
1937 4,383 4,356 27
1936 4,454 4,418 36
1935 4,654 4,622 32
1934 4,726 4,682 44
1933 4,727 4,695 32
1932 5,190 5,134 56
1931 5,481 5,423 58
1930 5,862 5,810 52
1929 6,047 5,995 52
1928 6,362 6,299 63
1927 6,731 6,663 68
1926 6,584 6,513 71
1925 6,866 6,798 68
1924 7,100 7,043 57
1923 7,127 7,074 53
1922 7,158 7,095 63
1921 7,296 7,247 49
1920 7,025 6,966 59
1919 6,704 6,661 43
1918 7,134 7,082 52
1917 6,826 6,771 55
1916 6,848 6,817 31
1915 6,568 6,518 50
1914 5,538 5,495 43
1913 4,289 4,258 31
1912 3,613 3,591 22
1911 1,855 1,838 17
1910 1,597 1,569 28
1909 1,250 1,231 19
1908 1,332 1,317 15
1907 1,123 1,111 12
1906 1,111 1,101 10
1905 995 981 14
1904 947 936 11
1903 906 889 17
1902 918 912 6
1901 805 797 8
1900 1,111 1,097 14
1899 779 770 9
1898 873 861 12
1897 840 831 9
1896 880 871 9
1895 921 913 8
1894 877 869 8
1893 828 816 12
1892 873 865 8
1891 802 786 16
1890 871 860 11
1889 846 837 9
1888 891 884 7
1887 798 791 7
1886 855 846 9
1885 814 809 5
1884 892 886 6
1883 805 796 9
1882 858 852 6
1881 746 746 0
1880 833 828 5

Top States for Louis (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 146
10%
TX 111
8%
NY 106
7%
MN 78
5%
PA 76
5%
MI 74
5%
OH 72
5%
IL 65
4%
FL 53
4%
MO 51
3%
MA 43
3%
WI 41
3%
IN 38
3%
WA 37
3%
NJ 36
2%
VA 33
2%
GA 33
2%
CO 31
2%
CT 28
2%
NC 28
2%
LA 28
2%
KS 26
2%
AZ 23
2%
IA 20
1%
TN 16
1%
OR 15
1%
KY 15
1%
NE 15
1%
AL 15
1%
MD 15
1%
OK 14
1%
UT 13
1%
NH 13
1%
DC 12
1%
NV 11
1%
RI 10
1%
SC 9
1%
SD 8
1%
ND 6
0%
HI 6
0%
ID 5
0%
ME 5
0%