girls' name · peaked 2021

Louisa

A female given name from the Germanic languages, a latinized form of Louise used since the eighteenth century.

Every Louisa since 1880 — 21,937 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.511.5218801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#697
among girls
Babies in 2025
407
named Louisa
Peak year
2021
424 babies
All-time total
21,937
since 1880

The story of Louisa

Louisa is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #697 in 2025 with 407 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 21,937 American babies have been named Louisa. Its peak came in 2021, when 424 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Louisa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Louisa year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 407 #697
2024 385 #733
2023 346 #808
2022 340 #825
2021 424 #687
2020 383 #725
2019 422 #688
2018 386 #731
2017 373 #752
2016 347 #828
2015 303 #907
2014 281 #955
2013 245 #1,020
2012 222 #1,119
2011 197 #1,221
2010 163 #1,411
2009 140 #1,607
2008 124 #1,781
2007 126 #1,732
2006 119 #1,752
2005 116 #1,712
2004 119 #1,636
2003 99 #1,868
2002 118 #1,580
2001 104 #1,735
2000 89 #1,914
1995 96 #1,583
1990 107 #1,462
1985 99 #1,337
1980 115 #1,171
1975 98 #1,185
1970 123 #1,015
1965 145 #826
1960 151 #846
1955 146 #800
1950 138 #730
1945 112 #705
1940 134 #605
1935 102 #651
1930 164 #532
1925 200 #498
1920 192 #500
1915 187 #449
1910 84 #434
1905 83 #374
1900 144 #271
1895 112 #263
1890 168 #180
1885 138 #156
1880 126 #130

Famous people named Louisa

  1. Louisa May Alcott Writer · 1832–1888
  2. Louisa Ulrika of Prussia Companion · 1720–1782
  3. Louisa Maria Stuart Politician · 1692–1712
  4. Louisa Adams Politician · 1775–1852
  5. Louisa Hanoune Politician · b. 1954

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Louisa mean?

A female given name from the Germanic languages, a latinized form of Louise used since the eighteenth century.

How popular is the name Louisa in 2025?

Louisa ranked #697 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 407 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Louisa?

21,937 babies have been named Louisa in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Louisa most popular?

Louisa peaked in 2021, when 424 newborns received the name.

Is Louisa a boy or girl name?

Louisa is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Louisa rising or falling?

Louisa is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Louisa?

Well-known people named Louisa include Louisa May Alcott (writer), Louisa Ulrika of Prussia (companion), Louisa Maria Stuart (politician).

Names like Louisa

Compare Louisa with similar names →