| Louis | Walter | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Famous warrior | Army ruler |
| Origin | germanic | germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | LOO-ee | WAWL-ter |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1921 (7,247) | 1918 (13,338) |
| In 2025 | 1,391 | 1,381 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Louis | Walter |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 8,577 | 7,725 |
| 2010s | 11,815 | 10,607 |
| 2000s | 10,262 | 8,133 |
| 1990s | 14,436 | 12,020 |
| 1980s | 17,354 | 17,568 |
| 1970s | 20,145 | 25,726 |
| 1960s | 33,382 | 45,929 |
| 1950s | 47,933 | 72,197 |
| 1940s | 49,430 | 83,728 |
| 1930s | 47,754 | 80,908 |
| 1920s | 67,693 | 119,809 |
| 1910s | 50,600 | 89,145 |
| 1900s | 10,372 | 19,997 |
| 1890s | 8,442 | 19,495 |
| 1880s | 8,275 | 18,185 |
From the Frankish Hludwig, combining 'hlud' (famous, loud) with 'wig' (war, battle), hence 'famous in war'. Carried by 18 kings of France.
From Germanic 'wald' (rule, power) and 'heri' (army), giving 'ruler/commander of the army'. Brought to England by the Normans.
Louis is more popular than Walter today: about 1,391 US babies were given the name Louis in 2025, compared with 1,381 named Walter.
Louis means Famous warrior (germanic origin), while Walter means Army ruler (germanic origin).
In US records, Louis first appears in 1880 and Walter in 1880, so Louis has the longer recorded history.