The name Louise is a French feminine form of the Germanic name Louis, derived from the Old Frankish Hludwig, which is composed of the elements hlud meaning "famous" and wig meaning "war" or "battle." It first became popular in France during the Middle Ages and later spread to other European countries.

One of the earliest documented uses of the name Louise dates back to the 9th century, when a Frankish noblewoman named Louise of Saxony lived in the court of Charlemagne. Another notable bearer of the name was Louise of Savoy (1476-1531), the mother of King Francis I of France and a prominent figure during the Renaissance.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, several French princesses and noblewomen bore the name, including Louise de La Vallière (1644-1710), a mistress of King Louis XIV, and Louise Élisabeth de Bourbon (1693-1775), the daughter of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan.

In the 19th century, the name gained further popularity across Europe and beyond. Notable bearers include Louise Michel (1830-1905), a French anarchist and activist during the Paris Commune, and Louise May Alcott (1832-1888), the American author best known for her novel "Little Women."

Another famous Louise was Louise Otto-Peters (1819-1895), a German writer and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education. In the 20th century, Louise Brooks (1906-1985) was an American actress and dancer known for her iconic bobbed hairstyle and roles in silent films.

Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) was a French-American artist renowned for her large-scale sculptures and installations exploring themes of family, sexuality, and the human psyche. Her works are held in major museums worldwide, and she is considered a pioneering figure in contemporary art.