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name Very common

Louis

LOO-ee

Louis (name) means a male given name of French origin, used for centuries by French kings. Example: “The name Louis was shared by eighteen kings of France.”

name
1
A male given name of French origin, used for centuries by French kings.
"The name Louis was shared by eighteen kings of France."
noun
1
A gold or silver coin issued under the French kings, especially the gold louis d'or.
"Traders once priced goods in livres and louis d'or."

How to use Louis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA traditional French royal name, and historically the name of a French gold coin.

Easily confused with

Word forms

Louises plural, louis plural, louises plural

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The name _____ was shared by eighteen kings of France.

Etymology

From Old French forms tracing back to Frankish Hlūdawīg ("loud, famous" + "battle"), the same root that gives English "Lewis," "Ludwig," and "Luigi."

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for Louis

See all rhymes for Louis →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Louis” mean?

The word “Louis” means a male given name of French origin, used for centuries by French kings. In plain terms, a traditional French royal name, and historically the name of a French gold coin.

How do you pronounce “Louis”?

“Louis” is pronounced LOO-ee (/ˈluː.i/ in IPA).

How do you use “Louis” in a sentence?

Here is “Louis” used in a sentence: “The name Louis was shared by eighteen kings of France.”

What is another word for “Louis”?

Words with a similar meaning to “Louis” include lew.

What part of speech is “Louis”?

Depending on how it is used, “Louis” can be a name and a noun.

Where does the word “Louis” come from?

The word “Louis” comes from Old French. From Old French forms tracing back to Frankish Hlūdawīg ("loud, famous" + "battle"), the same root that gives English "Lewis," "Ludwig," and "Luigi.".

Is “Louis” a common word?

“Louis” is a very common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Louis” have?

“Louis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name of French origin, used for centuries by French kings.

What is the difference between Louis and Lewis?

Louis is the French spelling and Lewis the English form of the same name, both from the Germanic Ludwig. Louis is often pronounced 'LOO-ee' in the French style or 'LOO-is' in English, while Lewis is always 'LOO-is.' They share one origin and meaning but differ in spelling, nationality, and sometimes pronunciation.

What is the difference between Louis and Luigi?

Louis and Luigi are the same name in different languages — Louis is French, Luigi its Italian equivalent, and both descend from the Germanic Ludwig. Other versions include Luis in Spanish and Ludwig in German. They all carry the same root meaning, so a Luigi in Italy is a Louis in France.

What does the name Louis mean?

Louis comes from the old Germanic name Ludwig, formed from words meaning 'fame' and 'war' — so it is usually translated as 'famous warrior' or 'renowned in battle.' Borne by eighteen French kings, it has long carried royal associations. The name has stayed popular across Europe for well over a thousand years.

How do you pronounce Louis?

It depends on the tradition. In French, and for the kings of France, it is 'LOO-ee' with a silent s. In English-speaking countries the name is often said 'LOO-is,' pronouncing the s. Both are accepted; which you use usually reflects the person's own preference or heritage.

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