Lulu Girl

Popularity: #898 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LOO-loo /ˈluːluː/

Origin: Arabic; French; English

Meaning: Arabic: pearl; French: a diminutive of Louise; English: a diminutive of Lucy

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lulu has its roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Arabic word "lulu," meaning "pearl." This term has been adopted into various cultures, often symbolizing beauty and preciousness. The name also has connections to the Hebrew name "Leah," which means "weary" or "delicate," and has been used in various forms across different languages.

The transition into English can be traced through the influence of Arabic and Hebrew on European languages, particularly during the Middle Ages when trade and cultural exchanges flourished. Historically, the name Lulu has appeared in various literary and cultural contexts.

One notable instance is in the early 20th century with the character Lulu in Frank Wedekind's plays "Earth Spirit" (1895) and "Pandora's Box" (1904), where she is portrayed as a complex and tragic figure. Additionally, the name has been associated with various saints and figures throughout history, although specific references may vary across cultures.

The name's presence in literature and theater has contributed to its recognition and resonance in Western culture. Culturally, the name Lulu has been embraced for its connotations of beauty and rarity, akin to that of a pearl.

In various traditions, pearls symbolize purity and wisdom, enhancing the name's appeal. The diminutive form "Lu" is also historically relevant, often used affectionately in familial and social contexts.

Overall, Lulu embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural significance, reflecting themes of beauty, complexity, and emotional depth.

Famous people named Lulu

In this section, you will find notable people named Lulu. 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 Lulu who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Lulu 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.

Lulu is a singer and actress best known for To Sir with Love, The Lulu Show, and her hit singles such as Shout and Relight My Fire.

Lulu Wang is a filmmaker best known for The Farewell and Posthumous.

Fictional characters named Lulu

The following list of fictional characters named Lulu 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.

Lulu is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. She is a powerful black mage known for her intelligence and strong personality, often serving as a mentor to younger characters.

Sibling suggestions

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

LilaLanaLunaLolaLucyLeahLydia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lulu. 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.

LilaLanaLunaLolaLucyLaceyLenaLydiaLinaLottie

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Lulu has ranked as high as #142 nationally, which occurred in 1886, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Lulu has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Lulu 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 Lulu 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 Lulu.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 50 50
2024 47 47
2023 63 63
2022 64 64
2021 62 62
2020 59 59
2019 57 57
2018 63 63
2017 66 66
2016 50 50
2015 60 60
2014 52 52
2013 58 58
2012 54 54
2011 54 54
2010 51 51
2009 41 41
2008 59 59
2007 50 50
2006 31 31
2005 26 26
2004 22 22
2003 26 26
2002 17 17
2001 16 16
2000 14 14
1999 15 15
1998 14 14
1997 6 6
1996 5 5
1995 9 9
1994 7 7
1993 6 6
1991 11 11
1990 6 6
1988 5 5
1984 6 6
1983 8 8
1982 6 6
1981 6 6
1979 13 13
1978 6 6
1977 8 8
1976 8 8
1975 7 7
1974 14 14
1973 14 14
1972 16 16
1971 15 15
1970 12 12
1969 10 10
1968 15 15
1967 14 14
1966 12 12
1965 16 16
1964 14 14
1963 11 11
1962 18 18
1961 18 18
1960 17 17
1959 29 29
1958 23 23
1957 21 21
1956 21 21
1955 19 19
1954 24 24
1953 17 17
1952 22 22
1951 15 15
1950 22 22
1949 29 29
1948 24 24
1947 22 22
1946 21 21
1945 16 16
1944 28 28
1943 27 27
1942 26 26
1941 42 42
1940 41 41
1939 54 54
1938 64 64
1937 50 50
1936 92 92
1935 86 86
1934 66 66
1933 42 42
1932 65 65
1931 57 57
1930 71 71
1929 78 78
1928 79 79
1927 114 114
1926 116 116
1925 114 114
1924 113 113
1923 137 137
1922 133 133
1921 160 160
1920 177 177
1919 183 183
1918 183 183
1917 166 166
1916 198 198
1915 167 167
1914 158 158
1913 110 110
1912 125 125
1911 82 82
1910 112 112
1909 123 123
1908 120 120
1907 127 127
1906 115 115
1905 126 126
1904 151 151
1903 122 122
1902 161 161
1901 135 135
1900 196 196
1899 179 179
1898 209 209
1897 199 199
1896 228 228
1895 258 258
1894 278 278
1893 304 304
1892 325 325
1891 315 315
1890 364 364
1889 341 341
1888 367 367
1887 322 322
1886 376 376
1885 360 360
1884 344 344
1883 302 302
1882 279 279
1881 313 313
1880 249 249

Top States for Lulu (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 12
100%