The name Lou is of French origin and has a rich history behind it. It is derived from the French male given name Louis, which itself is derived from the Frankish personal name Ludwig. This name is composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame" or "renown", and "wulf" meaning "wolf". Therefore, Lou can be interpreted as "renowned wolf".
The name Lou has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, who ruled France from 1643 until his death in 1715. He was a powerful and influential monarch who brought about many changes to France during his reign.
The name Lou has also been used by various artists throughout history. For example, Lou Reed was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a founder of the rock band The Velvet Underground. Louisa May Alcott, author of the classic novel Little Women, also went by the nickname Lou.
Today, Lou is often used as both a male and female given name in English-speaking countries. It is a short form of Louise or Louis, but can also stand alone as a unique given name. Despite its historical roots, Lou remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, simple, and stylish name for their child. Its meaning adds an extra layer of depth to the name, making it even more appealing to many.
The name Lou experienced significant fluctuations over the years, with a peak of 1495 births in 1954 and a low of just 5 births in 2009. After the mid-20th century, its popularity steadily declined, becoming quite rare by the late 20th century. However, there's been a recent resurgence since around 2016, with numbers increasing each year up to 69 births in 2023.