A timeless classic, the first name Louise had its heyday in the 19th century. Eclipsed since, Louise has been making a strong comeback since the end of the 80s, to the point of having become, if we include her diminutive Lou, one of the first choices of parents for little girls in her last years. Feast on March 15.
Origin and etymology of the first name Louise
Feminine of Louis, its Germanic origin means "glorious fighter". Its variants are numerous:Louisa and Loïse, the diminutives Louisette and Louison (common to Louis) as well as the compound first names Louise-Marie (or Marie-Louise) and Louise-Anne, contracted in Louisanne (or Louisane). Disappeared since, Loyse and Louyse were common variants in the Middle Ages.
Saint Louise de Marillac (1596-1660) was close to Saint Vincent de Paul and participated in his activities. She founded the congregation of the “Daughters of Charity”, which experienced rapid development. Canonized in 1934, her feast day is March 15.
Use and popularity of the first name Louise
Without having known the immense past success of her masculine, Louise was already a common first name from the 15th and ranked third in the 19th century after Marie and Jeanne. This exceptional popularity persisted until the 1930s, then, a victim of fashion, Louise faded away without ever disappearing, before making a remarkable comeback since 1980. Louise regularly appears in the top three of the most popular female names.
Because of its great popularity over the centuries, there are many famous Louises. We can cite the aristocrat Louise de Savoie , mother of François I, the 16th century French poet Louise Labé , as well as the great figure of the Paris Commune Louise Michel . Closer to home, we find the American singer Louise Ciccone alias Madonna and the TV presenter Louise Bourgoin.
To go further
- 2000 first names and their history, by Omer Englebert. Albin Michel, 2015.
- The Book of my first name - Louise, by Jules LEBRUN. First, 2017.