Louie is a charming and distinctive given name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Louis, which has its roots in the Germanic name Clovis. The name Louis is composed of the elements "hliud" meaning "famous" and "wig" meaning "war." Therefore, the meaning of Louie is "renowned in war."
The name Louie has a rich history dating back to medieval France. It was first used by the French royal family, with the most famous bearer being Louis XIV, who ruled from 1643 until his death in 1715 and became known as the Sun King due to his extravagant lifestyle and absolute rule. Other notable figures bearing the name Louie include Louis Armstrong, a prominent jazz musician, and Louie Zamperini, an Olympic distance runner and World War II veteran who inspired the book "Unbroken."
In modern times, Louie has gained popularity as a given name for boys, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States. While it may be less common than its full form Louis, Louie is still a beloved choice among parents seeking a unique yet approachable name for their sons.
Overall, Louie is an attractive and historic name with a strong meaning that pays tribute to its French roots. Its association with notable figures throughout history adds to its allure as a chosen moniker for boys.
The name Louie had a total of 30,008 births recorded over the period from 1880 to 2023, with significant fluctuations in popularity over time. The highest number of births in any single year was in 2023 with 459 instances, while the lowest occurred in 1994 with only 90 births. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Louie experienced periods of both increased and decreased popularity, peaking at over 70 births per year several times between 1905 and 1923. After World War II, Louie's popularity began to decline steadily until the late 1960s, when it reached its lowest point with fewer than 200 births per year for most years until the early 2000s. Since then, there has been a resurgence in the name's popularity, with over 350 births recorded each year since 2014 and reaching a new peak in 2023.