What is Lou short for?

Lou is short for Eloise, Louis, Louise and Louisa. In 2025, 81 boys and 65 girls in the United States were given Lou as their full name, with nothing longer behind it, according to Social Security records.

The names behind Lou

Each count is the number of children given that name in the United States in 2025, from US Social Security records. A name given to fewer than five children in a year is left out of the published file.

Eloise French origin

Lou from Eloise: easy and warm.

4,251 girls and 5 boys named Eloise in 2025

All 2 short forms of Eloise →

Louis Germanic origin

Lou from Louis: the classic short form.

6 girls and 1,391 boys named Louis in 2025

All 2 short forms of Louis →

Louise French origin

Lou from Louise: easy and warm.

579 girls named Louise in 2025

All 2 short forms of Louise →

Louisa Germanic origin

Lou from Louisa: easy and warm.

407 girls named Louisa in 2025

All 2 short forms of Louisa →

Which of these fits YOUR family? →