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Louis

♂ Boy

Pronounced LOO-ee /ˈluː.i/High

Meaning: Famous warrior; renowned in battle; from Old High German Chlodwig: hlud (famous, renown) + wig (warrior, battle)High

In 30 seconds: A royal Frankish name meaning 'famous warrior,' Frenchified as Louis. Eighteen French kings bore it. Today it is globally beloved — chosen by Prince William and Princess Kate for their youngest son.
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Origin HighOld High German, Old French
MeaningFamous warrior; renowned in battle; from Old High German Chlodwig: hlud (famous, renown) + wig (warrior, battle)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 394,969

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Louis is the French form of the Old High German name Chlodwig (also Clovis, Ludwig), composed of hlūd ('famous, renowned') and wīg ('warrior, battle'). The name was borne by Clovis I (c. 466–511), the first Frankish king to convert to Christianity. Through the medieval French court it became the dominant royal name of France.

Louis has been used in English-speaking countries for centuries. It was a consistent top-100 U.S. boys' name for most of the 20th century and has been reviving strongly in the 21st century. Prince Louis of Wales (b. 2018), the youngest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, gave the name fresh royal visibility for a new generation.

Did you know? Eighteen French kings were named Louis — from Louis I (778–840) to Louis XVIII (1755–1824) — making it the most frequently used name in French royal history.

Variations

LewisLuigiLudwigLuis

Nicknames

LouLouie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Louis XIV of France (1638–1715)
    The 'Sun King,' the longest-reigning monarch in European history.
  • ★Louis Armstrong (1901–1971)
    American jazz trumpeter and vocalist, one of the most influential figures in music history.

If you like Louis…

Henry— English royal Germanic name with the same august aristocratic history
George— classic royal name equally beloved in Britain and the U.S.
Arthur— Arthurian royal name enjoying a parallel 21st-century revival
Felix— short joyful classic on the same global revival wave

Frequently Asked

What does the name Louis mean?

Louis means 'famous warrior,' from Old High German hlud (famous) and wig (warrior). It was the name of 18 French kings.

How do you pronounce Louis?

In the French/English style used today, Louis is pronounced LOO-ee (/ˈluː.i/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Louis a boy or girl name?

Louis is used exclusively as a boy's name; Louise and Louisa are the feminine forms.

How popular is Louis?

Louis was a top-100 U.S. boys' name for most of the 20th century and has been strongly reviving since the 2010s.