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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lowell

Lowell

♂ Boy

Pronounced LOH-əl /ˈloʊ.əl/High

Meaning: From the Norman surname Lovel — Old French lou, 'wolf', plus a diminutive — 'little wolf'Medium

In 30 seconds: A wolf cub in a cardigan: Lowell — Norman for 'little wolf' — dressed Boston Brahmins and beat poets alike. Bookish outside, lupine underneath.
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Origin HighFrench, English
MeaningFrom the Norman surname Lovel — Old French lou, 'wolf', plus a diminutive — 'little wolf'
U.S. rank (2025)#3281 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1931
Total births (all-time)≈ 41,329

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193118812025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lowell comes from the Norman surname Lovel — Old French lou, 'wolf', with a diminutive — 'little wolf'. Mill-town Massachusetts and three major American poets gave it letters and labor both.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, wolf-cub at the root, and literary.

Did you know? The Lowells of Boston produced poets Amy, James Russell, and Robert — a family so lofty it 'spoke only to Cabots'; their name still means 'wolf pup'.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Lowell — etymology

Variations

LovellLowel

Nicknames

LoWell

Famous Bearers

  • ★Lowell Thomas (1892–1981)
    American broadcaster who made Lawrence of Arabia famous.

If you like Lowell…

Lionel— a fellow 'young lion/animal' classic
Lawrence— the companion distinguished vintage pick
Russell— another 'little red/fox' surname cousin
Everett— a sister Brahmin-vintage favorite

Explore names like Lowell

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lowell mean?

Lowell is from a Norman surname meaning 'little wolf'.

How do you pronounce Lowell?

It's said LOH-əl /ˈloʊ.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lowell a boy or girl name?

Lowell is a boy's name.

How popular is Lowell?

Lowell is a rare vintage name in the U.S.

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