Find out how popular the first name Lois has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lois by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lois is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Lois being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 132 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lois.

The history of the first name Lois

The name Lois originated from the French language and is derived from the Germanic name Lodis or Lodewijc. It is a feminine form of the masculine name Louis, which can be traced back to the Old Frankish Hlodowig, where "hlod" means "famous" and "wig" means "warrior" or "battle." Hence, the name Lois carries the meaning "famous warrior" or "famous in battle."

Lois has been a popular name throughout history, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Middle Ages. It was particularly common among the French nobility and was used by several prominent figures in French history. One notable example is Lois de Bourbon, the daughter of Robert de France, who lived in the 13th century.

In the realm of literature, the name Lois appears in several works from the 16th and 17th centuries, such as the plays of William Shakespeare and the poetry of John Milton. However, it is worth noting that during this time, the spelling of the name often varied, with variations like Loyse and Loyce being used.

Moving into the modern era, several notable women have borne the name Lois. One of the most famous is Lois Lane, the love interest of the fictional character Superman, first introduced in the comic books of the 1930s. In the world of politics, Lois Capps served as a United States Representative from California from 1998 to 2017.

Other notable figures with the name Lois include:

1. Lois Mailou Jones (1905-1998), an influential African American artist and teacher.
2. Lois Lowry (born 1937), an acclaimed American writer best known for her novel "The Giver."
3. Lois McMaster Bujold (born 1949), an American author of science fiction and fantasy novels.
4. Lois Maxwell (1927-2007), a Canadian actress best known for portraying Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond film series.
5. Lois Wilson (1894-1988), an American actress and one of the most prominent leading ladies of the silent film era.

Throughout its history, the name Lois has maintained a distinct charm and elegance, reflecting its roots in the language of warriors and nobility. Its enduring popularity across various cultures and eras serves as a testament to its timeless appeal.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lois was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lois, please contact us.

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