Lou

“Variant of Louis — Famous in battle” — Frankish via French origin

Boy's name · #1929 in the US (2025) · Heirloom

Lou is an heirloom: its strongest era came around 1881, when it ranked #452. It has thinned since but never left the records — about 4,100 boys since 1880, ranked #1929 today. Lou is split almost evenly between girls and boys among recent newborns.

Around the world: #46 in Belgium (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 3 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Lous

Lou Reed — American rock musician (1942–2013)
Lou Ferrigno — American actor and bodybuilder
Lou Gehrig — American baseball player (1903–1941)
Lou Diamond Phillips — American actor
Lou Costello — American actor and comedian (1906–1959)

In stories & tradition

Lou and Andy — Little Britain
Lou Grant — fictional human
Lou — The Simpsons

What Lous become

Among 969 notable people named Lou:

Sports figures appear 2× more often than among typical names — e.g. Lou Gehrig, American baseball player (1903–1941).

Similar names: Louie · Mercer · Loki · Charley · Loyal · Link

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service