Louise Overview
- Meaning: The name Louise is the feminine French and German form of “Louis.” It means “loud,” “famous,” “to battle or fight,” “to share,” and last but not least, “loot bringer.”
- Origin: Louise is proto-Germanic and Frankish. It was adopted into German as “Chlodowig” then “Ludwig,” and then French as “Louis.” The English then used the spelling of “Louis” for their iteration.
- Gender: Louise is a feminine name.
- Pronunciation: “LOO-eez” or “LOO-ees.”
- Popularity: It is a popular name in multiple countries across Europe and in the United States, where it ranked 643rd in 2021.
- Variations: Aloisia, Alojza, Heloísa, Liudvika, Lluïsa, Loes, Louella, Lova, Liisa, Lovise, Luana, Ludovica, Ludwika, Luella, Luigia, Luigina, Luisella, Luīze, Luyiza.
- Nicknames: Lou, Louie, Lu, Lula, Lulu.
- Namesakes: Louise Bogan, Louise Latham.
What Does the Name Louise Mean?
The feminine name Louise (and its variant “Luise”) are the French and German forms of the male name “Louis.” Their meaning is “loud,” “famous,” “to battle or fight,” “to share,” and last but not least, “loot bringer” (1).
What Is the Origin of the Name Louise?
The origins of the name Louise are proto-Germanic and Frankish. The name combines multiple words, which make up the names “Hlōdowik” and “Hlōdowig” from Latin.
It was then adopted into German as “Chlodowig,” then “Ludwig,” and later in French as “Louis”. The English then borrowed the spelling. Eventually, the hard “s” sound was added, rather than letting it be a silent letter.
How Popular Is the Name Louise?
The name Louise is popular and has been rising up the charts in the United States since dropping from the top 1000 at the turn of the 21st Century. In 2021, it ranked at number 643, up from 895 in 2016 (2).
In many European and English-speaking countries, Louise is common and has been since the mid-1800s. In France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, and Wales, it has been consistently ranked in the top 100 choices.
How Do I Pronounce Louise?
Most commonly, the name is pronounced as “LOO-eez.” It can also be referred to as “LOO-ees.”
Is Louise a Boy or Girl Name?
Louise is most commonly given to a girl. However, since the name comes from “Louis,” the male variation is quite obvious.
Variations of Louise
The name has come a long way and across many borders, so there are plenty of variations to “Louise.” Some of the most popular are:
- Aloisia (German, Italian, Spanish)
- Alojza (Polish)
- Heloísa (Portuguese)
- Liudvika (Lithuanian)
- Lluïsa (Catalan)
- Loes (Dutch)
- Louella (English)
- Lova (Swedish)
- Liisa (Finnish, Estonian)
- Lovise (Danish, Norwegian)
- Luana (English, Portuguese)
- Ludovica (Italian, Latin)
- Ludwika (Polish)
- Luella (English)
- Luigia (Italian)
- Luigina (Italian)
- Luisella (Italian)
- Luīze (Latvian)
- Luyiza (Ukrainian)
Nicknames for Louise
There are many cute and charming nicknames to consider, with a selection of great ideas being:
- Lou
- Louie
- Lu
- Lula
- Lulu
Similar Names to Louise
Some names similar to Louise—whether by sound, origin, or quality—are:
- Edith
- Ellie
- Frances
- Harriet
- Helena
- Josephine
- Margaret
- Marie
- Sarah
- Victoria
Middle Names for Louise
Louise itself is a popular middle name. So, when it gets its time to shine as a first, there are a plethora of options to consider, such as:
- Ashleigh
- Christina
- Claire
- Eileen
- Emilé
- Esmé
- Jo
- Joy
- Ruth
- Violet
Sibling Names for Louise
Louise will sound good next to an assortment of sibling names. You might want to consider the following that have the best ring to them:
For a brother:
- Albert
- Alex
- Emmett
- Erik
- Jack
- James
- Patrick
- Samuel
- Tristan
- Zayne
For a sister:
- Alexa
- Camille
- Cora
- Deborah
- Jane
- Lucy
- Maggie
- Nancy
- Pearl
- Ronnie
Famous People Named Louise
With a name as regionally extensive as “Louise,” it’s no surprise that there are plenty of famous people who have it. Many of them are actresses and poets while others are visual artists. Some that you may or may not know are:
- Louise Bogan: American poet who was the fourth Poet Laureate of the United States and the first woman to obtain the title.
- Louise Gluck: American poet and Poet Laureate Consultant (appointed by Library of Congress in 2004).
- Louise Nevelson: American artist and sculptor best known for her wooden wall art and outdoor installations.
- Louise Shaffer: American actress and writer who is known for her novel “The Three Miss Margarets.”
- Louise Latham: American actress best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Marnie.”
Louise in Popular Culture
Along with famous names, many “Louises” have made it into pop culture as character names. Some of them include:
- Louise: A character from the book series and television adaptation “Attack on Titan.”
- Louise Brooks: A primary character from the British comedy series “Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.”
- Louise Belcher: A primary character from the animated television series “Bob’s Burgers.”
- Louise Darling: Character from the television program “Max and Ruby.”
- Louise Grimsley Capice: Character from the thriller/crime series “The Edge of Night.”
- Louise Jefferson: A character nicknamed “Weezie” from “All in the Family” and its spin-off “The Jeffersons.”
- Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière: Main character from the book, anime, and manga series “Zero no Tsukaima.”
- Louise Mallard: The main character from the short story “The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin.
- Lighthouse Louise: A character from the animated television series “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Louise FAQs
Louise is a popular name, so it’s little surprise that many other queries often get asked about it.
Is Louise a Biblical Name?
No, Louise it is not a name with any biblical significance. However, it is popular in the Christian religion.
Is Louise an Old-Fashioned Name?
In Europe, specifically France and England, the name Louise is not considered old-fashioned at all. But in the United States, it is considered old-fashioned. However, the popularity of the name in the US is rising, which seems like a resurgence and refreshment of the name is in order.
