Louis
How to say it: LOO-iss · /ˈluɪs/
From Germanic 'hlud' (famous) + 'wig' (warrior), meaning 'famous warrior'. A royal French and English name.
Louis was the 267th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,391 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are up about 15% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #264 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #267 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,391 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,383 |
| Peak decade | 1910s |
| Change over 10 years | +15% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #264 |
| In France, 2025 | #7 among boys’ names, 3,265 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
A longtime presence that peaked back in the 1910s, Louis now stands far below that mark. Momentum has returned and further gains are foreseen.
What goes with it
Soft and breathy in LOO iss, Louis conveys regal calm with a saintly heritage. Henry makes a fitting companion, and Louie offers a cozy diminutive.
Middle names that flow with Louis →
Nicknames
- Lou
- Louie
Honouring a Louis in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Louis is about 1 in 100.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh.
In France: #7 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #49. Ireland: #115.
Famous people named Louis
- Louis Pasteur (1822–1895)French chemist and microbiologist
- Louis XIV of France (1638–1715)King of France and Navarre from 1643 to 1715
- Louis Armstrong (1901–1971)American jazz musician, trumpeter and singer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Louis Vuitton: French luxury fashion house founded 1854, LVMH flagship brand
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