English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
name Uncommon

Lois

LOH-ihs
Quiz me More like this

Lois (name) means a female given name of biblical origin, borne by the grandmother of Timothy in the New Testament. Example: “Lois has been used as a first name since the 19th century.”

name
1
A female given name of biblical origin, borne by the grandmother of Timothy in the New Testament.
"Lois has been used as a first name since the 19th century."
"Modernity might also lie in a name like Lois - pronounced Loys in Trinidad - which came to the island in the 1940s through Lois Lane, the heroine of the American Superman comic strip." — V.S.Naipaul, The Middle Passage (1962)

How to use Lois

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woman's first name from the Bible, unconnected to Louise despite looking alike.

Common mistake

People often assume Lois is a short form of Louise — it isn't; the two names have separate origins.

Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Lois.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Test yourself on “Lois” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ has been used as a first name since the 19th century.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Lōḯs, of uncertain meaning — not related to Louise or Louisa despite the similar sound.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Loyce

Rhymes for Lois

See all rhymes for Lois →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Lois” mean?
The word “Lois” means a female given name of biblical origin, borne by the grandmother of Timothy in the New Testament. In plain terms, a woman's first name from the Bible, unconnected to Louise despite looking alike.
How do you pronounce “Lois”?
“Lois” is pronounced LOH-ihs (/ˈləʊ.ɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Lois” in a sentence?
Here is “Lois” used in a sentence: “Lois has been used as a first name since the 19th century.”
What part of speech is “Lois”?
“Lois” is a name.
Where does the word “Lois” come from?
The word “Lois” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek Lōḯs, of uncertain meaning — not related to Louise or Louisa despite the similar sound.
Is “Lois” a common word?
“Lois” is an uncommon word in modern English.