Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Louisa
GirlLatin, Germanic· “famous warrior”
- Meaning
- famous warrior
- Origin
- Latin, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- loo-EE-zuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #697
- US babies 2025
- 407
- Best rank
- #119 (1881)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Louisa
Louisa is a Latin and Germanic name that means “famous warrior”.
Louisa is a Latinate feminine form of Louis, which comes from the Germanic Hludwig, combining elements meaning famous and battle or warrior. It became fashionable in England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. American author Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women, is one of its most celebrated bearers. Louisa is related to Louise, Luisa and Eloise. The name has a graceful, literary feel and a vintage warmth, and Lou, Lulu and Louie are cheerful nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Luisa.
Popularity over time
Louisa 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 102 different years. Its best national rank was #119 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 2021, when 424 were named Louisa. In 2025, 407 babies were named Louisa, and it ranked #697 nationally. That is 34% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #500 in 1920, #730 in 1950, #1,171 in 1980, #1,914 in 2000, #1,411 in 2010, and #697 in 2025. Of the 21,932 US girls named Louisa since records began, 13% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,285 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Treasure, Theodora, Marleigh, Amayah, and Persephone.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Louisa ranked highest in Alaska, Maine, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #158 | 5 |
| Maine | #242 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #309 | 19 |
| Minnesota | #319 | 18 |
| Washington | #363 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Louisa is usually pronounced loo-EE-zuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-sa”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Luisa.
Middle names for Louisa
A few middle names that flow with Louisa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Louisa
Similar names
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Lists that include Louisa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Louisa mean?
Louisa is a Latin and Germanic name that means “famous warrior”.
What is the origin of the name Louisa?
Louisa has Latin, Germanic, and English roots. Louisa is a Latinate feminine form of Louis, which comes from the Germanic Hludwig, combining elements meaning famous and battle or warrior.
Is Louisa a popular name?
Yes. Louisa ranked #697 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Louisa a boy or girl name?
Louisa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Louisa?
Louisa is usually pronounced loo-EE-zuh. 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