Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Louella
GirlEnglish, American (modern coinage)· “blend of Lou and Ella”
- Meaning
- blend of Lou and Ella
- Origin
- English, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- loo-EL-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,475
- US babies 2025
- 146
- Best rank
- #238 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1932
Meaning and origin of Louella
Louella is an English and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “blend of Lou and Ella”.
Louella joins Lou, a short form of Louise or Louisa, to Ella, producing a name that sounds far older than a simple blend. Louise goes back to the Germanic Hludwig, famous warrior, while Ella has several sources, including a Germanic word meaning all or other. Louella was used in the United States from the late nineteenth century, and the Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons made it familiar in the mid-twentieth century. It is said loo-EL-uh. Today it fits the revival of vintage double names, and Lou, Lulu and Ella all offer easy nicknames.
Popularity over time
Louella 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 76 different years. Its best national rank was #238 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1932, when 266 were named Louella. In 2025, 146 babies were named Louella, and it ranked #1,475 nationally. That is 248% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #461 in 1920, #661 in 1950, #4,649 in 1980, #6,306 in 2010, and #1,475 in 2025. Of the 13,958 US girls named Louella since records began, 18% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 2,362 babies. Since 2010, 1,195 more have been named Louella.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Joretta, Bobbye, Norene, Doloris, and Loyce.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Louella ranked highest in Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Louella is usually pronounced loo-EL-uh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with L and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Louella
A few middle names that flow with Louella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Louella
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Lists that include Louella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Louella mean?
Louella is an English and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “blend of Lou and Ella”.
What is the origin of the name Louella?
Louella has English and modern American roots. Louella joins Lou, a short form of Louise or Louisa, to Ella, producing a name that sounds far older than a simple blend.
Is Louella a popular name?
Not especially. Louella ranked #1,475 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Louella a boy or girl name?
Louella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Louella?
Louella is usually pronounced loo-EL-uh. 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