Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Luisa
GirlSpanish, Italian· “famous warrior”
- Meaning
- famous warrior
- Origin
- Spanish, Italian
- Pronunciation
- loo-EE-zuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #903
- US babies 2025
- 294
- Best rank
- #715 (1882)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Luisa
Luisa is a Spanish and Italian name that means “famous warrior”.
Luisa is the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese form of Louise, the feminine of Louis. Its roots lie in the Frankish name Chlodovech, built from hlud, "famous," and wig, "war," so the name is usually glossed as "famous warrior." It has been used across southern Europe and Latin America for centuries and has a classic, cultured air. Many families also know Luisa Madrigal, the strong older sister in the animated film Encanto. Luisa is easy to pronounce in many languages, and Lu or Lulu make charming nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Louisa.
Popularity over time
Luisa first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 49 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #715 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 319 were named Luisa. In 2025, 294 babies were named Luisa, and it ranked #903 nationally. That is 31% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #999 in 1920, #1,159 in 1950, #1,138 in 1980, #973 in 2000, #1,163 in 2010, and #903 in 2025. Of the 14,372 US girls named Luisa since records began, 16% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,146 babies. Since 2010, 3,866 more have been named Luisa.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Khalani, Avayah, Nyra, Araya, and Maddie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Luisa ranked highest in New Mexico, Massachusetts, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #358 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #463 | 12 |
| New York | #579 | 29 |
| Arizona | #611 | 11 |
| Texas | #620 | 51 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Luisa is usually pronounced loo-EE-zuh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-sa”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Louisa.
Middle names for Luisa
A few middle names that flow with Luisa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Luisa
Similar names
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Lists that include Luisa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Luisa mean?
Luisa is a Spanish and Italian name that means “famous warrior”.
What is the origin of the name Luisa?
Luisa has Spanish, Italian, and Germanic roots. Luisa is the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese form of Louise, the feminine of Louis.
Is Luisa a popular name?
Yes. Luisa ranked #903 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Luisa a boy or girl name?
Luisa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Luisa?
Luisa 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