Louise

Louise has for several decades now been seen as competent, studious, and efficient -- desirable if not dramatic qualities. But now along with a raft of other L names, as well as cousin Eloise, Louise is up for re-appreciation, sleek and chic, stylish in Paris and starting to become so in the U.S. as well. Louisa is perhaps more in tune with the times, but Louise has more edge.

Louise has been a royal name in several countries, including Denmark, Sweden, France and England: currently Queen Elizabeth has a granddaughter named Louise via her son Prince Edward. It is currently the Number 2 name in Belgium and the 10th most popular name in France.

Among her most notable bearers: iconic film actress Louise Brooks and modern sculptors Louise Bourgeois and Louise Nevelson. Louise is the middle name of both Madonna and Meryl Streep. Louise was the character played by Susan Sarandon in the feminist road movie Thelma and Louise.

And there's also a nature reference--the beautiful Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies.