Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Lewis
BoyEnglish, Germanic· “famous in battle”
- Meaning
- famous in battle
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- LOO-ihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #433
- US babies 2025
- 736
- Best rank
- #30 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Lewis
Lewis is an English and Germanic name that means “famous in battle”.
Lewis is the traditional English form of Louis, which comes from the Frankish Chlodovech, built from Germanic elements meaning "fame" and "battle". Chlodovech, better known as Clovis, was the first king of the Franks, and the name later passed to many kings of France. In Scotland and England, Lewis has long been used as a given name and surname. Famous bearers include the author Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Dodgson, and the explorer Meriwether Lewis. Lewis sounds friendly, classic and slightly British, and Lew is a traditional short form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Louis.
Popularity over time
Lewis has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #30 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 2,712 were named Lewis. In 2025, 736 babies were named Lewis, and it ranked #433 nationally. That is 49% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #72 in 1920, #132 in 1950, #305 in 1980, #573 in 2000, #715 in 2010, and #433 in 2025. Of the 155,766 US boys named Lewis since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 20,931 babies. Since 2010, 8,490 more have been named Lewis.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Milton, Cecil, Clyde, Harvey, and Vernon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lewis ranked highest in Vermont, Montana, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #116 | 5 |
| Montana | #138 | 10 |
| Minnesota | #161 | 42 |
| Alaska | #183 | 5 |
| North Dakota | #213 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Lewis is usually pronounced LOO-ihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-is”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Louis.
Middle names for Lewis
A few middle names that flow with Lewis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lewis
Similar names
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Lists that include Lewis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lewis mean?
Lewis is an English and Germanic name that means “famous in battle”.
What is the origin of the name Lewis?
Lewis has English and Germanic roots. Lewis is the traditional English form of Louis, which comes from the Frankish Chlodovech, built from Germanic elements meaning "fame" and "battle".
Is Lewis a popular name?
Yes. Lewis ranked #433 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lewis a boy or girl name?
Lewis is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Lewis?
Lewis is usually pronounced LOO-ihs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings