The name Eloise has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the ancient Germanic elements "ali" meaning "other" and "gard" meaning "prosperous". It is believed to have originated as a French form of the Germanic name Aloidis or Aloydis during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Eloise can be found in the 7th century, when a Frankish nun named Eloise lived in the Benedictine monastery of Faremoutiers-en-Brie in present-day France. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

In the 12th century, Eloise became a prominent name due to the influential French nun, writer, and scholar Héloïse d'Argenteuil (c. 1092-1164). Her passionate love affair with the philosopher Peter Abelard and their subsequent correspondence have made them famous figures in medieval history and literature.

Another notable figure named Eloise was Eloise of Vermandois (c. 1050-1115), a French noblewoman who served as the Countess of Toulouse through her marriage to Raymond IV of Toulouse. She played a significant role in the political affairs of the time.

In the 16th century, the name Eloise gained popularity in England and Scotland, with one of the earliest recorded instances being Eloise Carre (c. 1510-1585), a Scottish courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Another notable Eloise was Eloise Payne Luquer (1828-1888), an American woman's rights activist and philanthropist who worked tirelessly for the cause of women's education and suffrage in the United States.

The name Eloise has been borne by several other notable figures throughout history, including Eloise Michie (1897-1985), an American actress and dancer who appeared in various Broadway productions, and Eloise Jarvis McGraw (1915-2000), an American children's author best known for her novel "The Golden Goblet".