Lois is a name of English origin that has been used throughout history. It is derived from the medieval personal name Louis, which itself comes from the Germanic name Ludwig. This name was popular among European royalty and nobility during the Middle Ages, and it eventually made its way to England where it became known as Lois.
The meaning behind the name Lois is "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle." This signification reflects the powerful and valiant connotations associated with the Germanic roots of the name. Despite its masculine origins, Lois has been used as a feminine name since the 19th century.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures named Lois. One of the most famous is American actress Lois Maxwell, who was best known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond film series from 1962 to 1985. Another prominent figure is Canadian-born American psychologist and philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, whose full name was Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin but who is often referred to simply by her middle name, Lois.
In literature, the name Lois has appeared in various works throughout history. One notable example is in Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield," where one of the characters is named Mrs. Gummidge, also known as Aunt Lois. Additionally, the name Lois is used in the title of a collection of short stories by American writer Truman Capote, published in 1975 under the title "A Christmas Memory" and featuring a character named Lois.
Overall, while Lois may not be one of the most popular names today, it has a rich history and meaningful origin that has helped contribute to its enduring appeal throughout the centuries.
Based on the provided statistics, we can analyze the popularity of the name Lois in the United States over time.
The data shows a clear fluctuation in the number of newborn girls named Lois from 1892 to 2021. The highest peak in popularity occurred in 1913 with 47 births, followed by another peak in 1915 with 67 births. This trend continued into the early 1920s, with over 70 births each year from 1921 to 1923.
However, starting in the mid-1920s, we observe a steady decline in the number of newborn girls named Lois. By 1945, this number had dropped significantly to just 21 births. This low popularity continued until the late 1980s when it began to rise slightly again.
In recent years, from 1990 to 2021, the name Lois has experienced a slight resurgence in popularity, with an average of around 6-7 births per year. Although it is not as popular as it was in the early 20th century, the name Lois remains present among newborn girls in the United States.
In total, there have been 2,644 newborn girls named Lois in the United States from 1892 to 2021.