Louisa
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Louisa
Louisa, a quaint but strong vintage name, might feel fresher in English speaking countries than old favorite Louise, just as Diana and Julia have more energy than Diane and Julie at the moment. Part of this might just be that Louisa has never been so popular as Louise, so it makes a familiar but distinctive option alongside Eloise, Lucy, Luna, and Lucia.
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 20th century. Both derived from Ludwig, via Louis, the name has the powerful meaning "renowned warrior", making it a great contender for a spirited girl.
Familiar in France and the UK, Louisa re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 45 year absence and a current year saw it rank in the latter end of the charts, given to around 380 babies. In comparison, Louise was given to more than 550 babies and ranked just outside the Top 500.
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, Ouida, and Ouisa.
Louisa is also given to boys.
Pronounced loo-EE-zuh.
As of October 2026, Louisa ranked #697 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #119 in 1881, Nameberry popularity #117.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #955 | 281 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #907 | 303 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #828 | 347 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #752 | 373 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #731 | 386 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #688 | 422 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #725 | 383 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #687 | 424 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #825 | 340 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #807 | 346 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #733 | 383 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #697 | 407 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Louisa.
Louisa on lists
Famous Louisas
- Louisa Ulrika of PrussiaGirl
Queen consort of Adolf Frederick of Sweden
- Louisa Maria Teresa StuartGirl
disputed Princess Royal, daughter of King James II and VII of Great Britain
- Louisa AnneGirl
Princess of Great Britain; granddaughter of King George II; sister of George III
- Louisa May AlcottGirl
American novelist
- Louisa Catherine Johnson AdamsGirl
U.S. First Lady as wife of President John Quincy Adams
- Louisa Catherine AdamsGirl
daughter of John Quincy Adams
- Louisa Ann SwainGirl
first woman to legally vote in the United States
- (Rachel) Louisa KrauseGirl
American actress
- Louisa JohnsonGirl
English pop singer
- Louisa Rose "Foxes" AllenGirl
English singer
- Louisa ConnollyGirl
Burnham, English actress
- Louisa Claire LyttonGirl
English actress
- Louisa NécibGirl
French footballer
- Louisa GummerGirl
daughter of American actress Meryl Streep
Louisa in pop culture
- Louisa von TrappGirl
character in "The Sound of Music"
- Louisa NortonGirl
character in 1950 film "Louisa"
- LouisaGirl
main character in the book "Vietnam Farm"
- Louisa FennGirl
character on TV series Boston Public
- Louisa "Ouiser" BoudreauxGirl
character in play/film "Steel Magnolias"
- Louisa Reed ConroyGirl
character from "This Golden Land," by Barbara Wood
- Louisa "Lou" ClarkGirl
main character in "Me Before You," by Jojo Moyes
- Louisa GlassonGirl
character on British TV show "Doc Martin"
- LouisaGirl
character in novel "The Nest" by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
- "Louisa"Girl
song by Lord Huron