Lou
Lou is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Famous warrior.
Origin and history
Lou originated as a short form of Louis or Ludwig, stemming from Old High German roots. It carries a classic, retro charm and functions as both an independent given name and a friendly nickname. In the United States, it has a long history of steady, modest use for boys.
Popularity in the United States
4,089 babies in the United States have been named Lou since 1880. It ranks #1963 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1510.
States where it is most popular
- CA (34.2 %)
- NY (25.3 %)
- PA (11.9 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
- NJ (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 119 |
| 1890-1900 | 103 |
| 1900-1910 | 84 |
| 1910-1920 | 271 |
| 1920-1930 | 352 |
| 1930-1940 | 333 |
| 1940-1950 | 427 |
| 1950-1960 | 513 |
| 1960-1970 | 413 |
| 1970-1980 | 259 |
| 1980-1990 | 167 |
| 1990-2000 | 161 |
| 2000-2010 | 159 |
| 2010-2019 | 308 |
| 2020-2029 | 420 |
Famous people named Lou
- Lou Gehrig: Baseball Player
- Lou Reed: Musician, Songwriter
- Lou Ferrigno: Actor, Bodybuilder
Fun facts
- Lou developed as an abbreviated form of Louis and Lewis before gaining standalone acceptance on birth certificates.
- The name saw its highest U.S. usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before experiencing a modern revival as a minimalist choice.