boys' name · peaked 1921

Louis

From French Louis, from Middle French Loïs, Loïc, &c., from Old French Looïs, Luis, Lodhuvigs, Lodevis, Lodhwig, &c., from Latin Ludovicus, from Clodovicus, from…

Every Louis since 1880 — 409,317 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
2.557.51018801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#249
among boys
Babies in 2025
1,397
named Louis
Peak year
1921
7,296 babies
All-time total
409,317
since 1880

The story of Louis

Louis is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #249 in 2025 with 1,391 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 409,317 American babies have been named Louis. Its peak came in 1921, when 7,296 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Louis stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Louis year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 6 #14,230 1,391 #249
2024 1,510 #236
2023 5 #16,637 1,478 #238
2022 5 #16,741 1,442 #245
2021 1,422 #251
2020 6 #14,428 1,334 #260
2019 5 #17,033 1,475 #249
2018 1,388 #260
2017 1,302 #277
2016 1,242 #290
2015 5 #18,066 1,210 #296
2014 1,229 #289
2013 1,070 #315
2012 1,057 #312
2011 921 #332
2010 921 #342
2009 885 #353
2008 909 #350
2007 937 #345
2006 1,001 #320
2005 1,002 #324
2004 1,051 #302
2003 1,103 #283
2002 5 #17,043 1,143 #272
2001 1,096 #279
2000 5 #16,518 1,135 #279
1995 9 #9,217 1,361 #218
1990 15 #5,999 1,820 #168
1985 19 #4,216 1,685 #164
1980 20 #3,934 1,787 #151
1975 13 #4,742 1,812 #138
1970 22 #3,074 2,642 #124
1965 18 #2,998 3,270 #101
1960 25 #2,411 4,128 #106
1955 19 #2,599 4,779 #82
1950 27 #1,859 4,947 #66
1945 30 #1,500 4,480 #55
1940 32 #1,332 4,324 #50
1935 32 #1,292 4,622 #42
1930 52 #1,025 5,810 #34
1925 68 #902 6,798 #29
1920 59 #953 6,966 #28
1915 50 #942 6,518 #23
1910 28 #824 1,569 #24
1905 14 #1,045 981 #25
1900 14 #1,035 1,097 #26
1895 8 #1,255 913 #21
1890 11 #858 860 #19
1885 5 #1,135 809 #19
1880 5 #893 828 #19

Famous people named Louis

  1. Louis XIV of France Politician · 1638–1715
  2. Louis Pasteur Chemist · 1822–1895
  3. Louis XVI of France Politician · 1754–1793
  4. Louis XV of France Politician · 1710–1774
  5. Louis XIII of France Politician · 1601–1643

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Louis mean?

From French Louis, from Middle French Loïs, Loïc, &c., from Old French Looïs, Luis, Lodhuvigs, Lodevis, Lodhwig, &c., from Latin Ludovicus, from Clodovicus, from Frankish *Hlūdawīg, from Proto-Germanic *hlūdaz (“loud; famous”) +…

How popular is the name Louis in 2025?

Louis ranked #249 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,391 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Louis?

409,317 babies have been named Louis in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Louis most popular?

Louis peaked in 1921, when 7,296 newborns received the name.

Is Louis a boy or girl name?

Louis is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Louis rising or falling?

Louis is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Louis?

Well-known people named Louis include Louis XIV of France (politician), Louis Pasteur (chemist), Louis XVI of France (politician).

Names like Louis

Compare Louis with similar names →