Louisa

Latinate feminine variation of Louis
"renowned warrior"

Louisa Origin and Meaning

The name Louisa is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "renowned warrior".

Louisa, a quaint vintage name, is an example of the idea that these days, old-style girls’ names are more fashionable when they end with an a rather than with an e, as in Julie/Julia, Diane/Diana. So for the next generation, Louisa may rise again, especially with the growing popularity of other Lou/Lu-starting names, like Lucy and Luna. Louisa reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 45 year absence.

Very popular in the eighteenth century, Louisa was finally toppled at the end of the nineteenth by the French form Louise, which was a top name through the first quarter of the twentieth century.

Louisa has many literary associations, including Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women and Little Men; two Charles Dickens novels, Hard Times and Dombey & Sons; and two novels by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.

Louisa is a First Lady name, being the wife of President John Quincy Adams. One of Meryl Streep's daughters is named Louisa.

Some international variations: Luisa, Lovisa, Ludovica, and Luigia. Nicknames include Lou, Lu, Lulu, and Ouisa.

# 825 in the US

Louisa Rank in US Top 1000

# 228 on Nameberry

Louisa Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Louisa Popularity

Famous People Named Louisa

  • Louisa Ulrika of PrussiaQueen consort of Adolf Frederick of Sweden
  • Louisa Maria Teresa Stuartdisputed Princess Royal, daughter of King James II and VII of Great Britain
  • Louisa AnnePrincess of Great Britain; granddaughter of King George II; sister of George III
  • Louisa May AlcottAmerican novelist
  • Louisa Catherine Johnson AdamsU.S. First Lady as wife of President John Quincy Adams
  • Louisa Catherine Adamsdaughter of John Quincy Adams
  • Louisa Ann Swainfirst woman to legally vote in the United States
  • (Rachel) Louisa KrauseAmerican actress
  • Louisa JohnsonEnglish pop singer
  • Louisa Rose "Foxes" AllenEnglish singer
  • Louisa ConnollyBurnham, English actress
  • Louisa Claire LyttonEnglish actress
  • Louisa NécibFrench footballer
  • Louisa Gummerdaughter of American actress Meryl Streep

Louisa in Pop Culture

  • Louisa von Trappcharacter in "The Sound of Music"
  • Louisa Nortoncharacter in 1950 film "Louisa"
  • Louisamain character in the book "Vietnam Farm"
  • Louisa Fenncharacter on TV series Boston Public
  • Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreauxcharacter in play/film "Steel Magnolias"
  • Louisa Reed Conroycharacter from "This Golden Land," by Barbara Wood
  • Louisa "Lou" Clarkmain character in "Me Before You," by Jojo Moyes
  • Louisa Glassoncharacter on British TV show "Doc Martin"
  • Louisacharacter in novel "The Nest" by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
  • "Louisa"song by Lord Huron