Louise is a feminine given name of French origin, derived from the German nameLudwig, which means "renowned in battle". The name Louise has been popular throughout history and has been borne by many notable figures.
The first recorded use of the name Louise was in France during the Middle Ages, where it was used as a feminine form of Louis. It was also popular among royalty; for example, Louise of France (1573-1637) was a French princess who became the Duchess of Montpensier, and Louise of Savoy (1476-1531) was the mother of Francis I of France.
Louise has been used in various forms throughout history, including Louisa, Luise, and Luisa. In England, it was introduced by Queen Mary II's consort, William III, who brought his German entourage with him when he became king in 1689. The name gained further popularity during the Victorian era, when it was often used as a diminutive of names like Louise-Marie or Louise-Elizabeth.
Today, Louise continues to be a popular given name around the world. It has ranked among the top 1000 names for girls in the United States since records began in the late 19th century. In France, it remains particularly popular and is often used as a middle name alongside other traditional French names like Marie or Claire.
Overall, Louise is a classic and elegant name with a rich history behind it. Its meaning of "renowned in battle" reflects its warrior-like origins, while its widespread use throughout history demonstrates its enduring appeal.
The name Louise has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past century and a half in the United States. In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, it experienced several peaks in popularity, with the highest number of births recorded in 1915 at 8313.
After World War II, there was a decline in the usage of the name Louise, with fewer than 500 births per year from 1946 onwards. This trend continued until the late 1970s and early 1980s when the popularity of the name began to rise again.
The most recent data shows that the name Louise has seen a resurgence in popularity, with over 500 births recorded each year since 2016. In fact, in 2022, there were 510 births recorded for the name Louise in the United States.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Louise has fluctuated over time, it remains a classic and enduring choice for parents looking to give their daughter a timeless and elegant name.