The name Lou is of French origin and has a rich history behind it. It is derived from the French male given name Louis, which itself is derived from the Frankish personal name Ludwig. This name is composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame" or "renown", and "wulf" meaning "wolf". Therefore, Lou can be interpreted as "renowned wolf".
The name Lou has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, who ruled France from 1643 until his death in 1715. He was a powerful and influential monarch who brought about many changes to France during his reign.
The name Lou has also been used by various artists throughout history. For example, Lou Reed was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a founder of the rock band The Velvet Underground. Louisa May Alcott, author of the classic novel Little Women, also went by the nickname Lou.
Today, Lou is often used as both a male and female given name in English-speaking countries. It is a short form of Louise or Louis, but can also stand alone as a unique given name. Despite its historical roots, Lou remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, simple, and stylish name for their child. Its meaning adds an extra layer of depth to the name, making it even more appealing to many.
The name Lou has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century and a half. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was an average of around 150 births per year with the name Lou. The highest number of births recorded during this time was 227 in 1914.
However, the popularity of the name Lou began to decline in the mid-20th century, with only a few dozen births per year recorded between 1950 and 1980. There were even years where there were less than ten births with the name Lou during this time period.
But despite its waning popularity, the name Lou has seen a resurgence in recent years. In fact, from 2014 to 2023, there have been an average of over 50 births per year with the name Lou. The highest number of births recorded during this time was 69 in 2023.
Overall, there have been a total of 33,970 births with the name Lou in the United States since records began.