Lois
Lois is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Desirable or superior; derived from the Ancient Greek root 'loion' meaning 'more desirable'.
Origin and history
Lois is a given name of Ancient Greek origin, historically appearing in the New Testament as the grandmother of Saint Timothy. It gained widespread popularity in the United States during the early-to-mid 20th century. Although its usage has declined since its peak, it remains a recognized classic name.
Popularity in the United States
332,950 babies in the United States have been named Lois since 1880. It ranks #115 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1390.
States where it is most popular
- PA (8.6 %)
- IL (6.3 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
- NY (5.7 %)
- MI (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 954 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,228 |
| 1900-1910 | 7,691 |
| 1910-1920 | 38,179 |
| 1920-1930 | 88,133 |
| 1930-1940 | 80,713 |
| 1940-1950 | 56,854 |
| 1950-1960 | 36,200 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,254 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,884 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,397 |
| 1990-2000 | 930 |
| 2000-2010 | 783 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,023 |
| 2020-2029 | 727 |
Famous people named Lois
- Lois Lowry: Author, Novelist
- Lois Smith: Actress
Fun facts
- In the Bible, Lois was the grandmother of Timothy and praised by Paul for her sincere faith.
- The name is famous globally via Lois Lane, the iconic DC Comics journalist and love interest of Superman introduced in 1938.