Boy · 27th of 7,545
Louis
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
407,900
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1921
Peak Popularity Year
7,296
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Louis stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Louis has its roots in the Old High German 'Chlodovech', meaning 'famous warrior'. It evolved through Latin as 'Ludovicus' before becoming popular in French. The name has been borne by many notable figures, and it carries a sense of nobility and tradition in modern times. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈluːɪs/
Origin
French, Latin
Etymology
The name Louis is derived from the Old High German name 'Chlodovech', which means 'famous warrior'. It evolved through the Latin 'Ludovicus' before being adopted into French.
Meaning
Famous warrior
Language Evolution
Chlodovech (Old High German), Ludovicus (Latin), Louis (French)
Historical Usage
The name Louis gained popularity in France during the medieval period, particularly as many French kings bore the name, including Louis IX, who was canonized as a saint.
Variants & Derivatives
Louie, Luigi, Luis, Ludwig
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Louis is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with nobility and tradition. It remains popular in various cultures.
Famous People
Louis Armstrong, Louis Pasteur, Louis XIV of France, Louis Vuitton
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,296 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 27th of 7545 | 115,276 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 44th of 6773 | 88,158 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 83rd of 7552 | 88,138 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 126th of 10718 | 36,422 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 181st of 16616 | 26,368 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 303rd of 24088 | 16,794 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 265th of 23106 | 16,089 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 985th of 9107 | 972 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1251st of 9204 | 665 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2239th of 12526 | 463 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3393rd of 19264 | 311 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5972nd of 27321 | 215 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 30690th of 35406 | 10 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 19915th of 30306 | 26 |