Meaning & Origin
A unisex given name. A diminutive of the male given name Louis. A diminutive of the female given names Louisa or Louise; often also used as a middle name.
Lou is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a diminutive of Louis, from the Old High German Hludwig, meaning 'famous warrior' or 'renowned in battle.' Used as an independent name since the 19th century, Lou has been carried by Lou Gehrig, Lou Reed, and Lou Brock — a roll call of American legend.
With over 4,000 U.S. births, Lou has a warm, vintage American feel — short, solid, and instantly likable. It is a name that belongs to someone straightforward and extraordinary in equal measure.