Lewis

Pronunciation: [ l-OO-ihs ]

Boy Name #435 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A warrior's name with a storyteller's soul

English Welsh French American

Classic Vintage Strong Literary Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"famous warrior"

Origin: Germanic via French

Language: English

"glory in battle"

Origin: Old Frankish

Language: English

The Story of Lewis

Lewis is the English and Welsh form of Louis, which derives from the Old Frankish 'Chlodovech,' composed of 'hlud' (fame, glory) and 'wig' (war, battle) — meaning 'famous warrior.' The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans after 1066 and has been used in England and Wales ever since. In Wales, Lewis is especially common, often as an anglicization of the Welsh name Llywelyn.

Lewis has been a fixture in Welsh naming for centuries and has maintained steady popularity across Britain. In the US, it peaked in the late 19th and early 20th century and is now experiencing a vintage revival. Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 dominance has kept the name current and exciting.

C.S. Lewis, the author of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and 'Mere Christianity,' has made Lewis synonymous with imaginative Christian thought and beloved children's literature. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition gave the name an American pioneer dimension.

Fun Facts

C.S. Lewis wrote 'The Chronicles of Narnia' while working as an Oxford professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature
Lewis Hamilton has won seven Formula 1 World Championships, the most in the sport's history
Meriwether Lewis led the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806, the first overland crossing of America

Lewis in Other Languages

Dutch Lodewijk

Welsh Llywelyn

French Louis

German Ludwig

Italian Luigi

Spanish Luis

Famous People Named Lewis

Lewis Hamilton

Athlete

1985

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, the most decorated driver in the sport's history

Jerry Lee Lewis

Musician

1935

American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter known as 'The Killer,' pioneer of rock and roll piano

C.S. Lewis

Writer

1898

Irish-British author of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and 'Mere Christianity,' one of the 20th century's most influential C...

Irish-British author of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and 'Mere Christianity,' one of the 20th century's most influential Christian writers

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #435
Total SSA Count: 728
Cultural Origins: English Welsh French American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Lew Louie

Pairs Well With

Lewis James Lewis Arthur Lewis Charles Lewis Thomas Lewis Henry Lewis George Lewis Edward

Sibling Names

Albert Arthur Harriet Florence Edith George Clarence

Also a Girl Name

Lewis is also used as a girl name, ranked #28904.

View Lewis as a girl name →

Similar Names

Louise Doris Louis Louie Luis Lucas Luigi Joseluis

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Lewis and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Lewis sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Lewis

What does the name Lewis mean?

"famous warrior" (from Germanic via French). "glory in battle" (from Old Frankish). Lewis is the English and Welsh form of Louis, which derives from the Old Frankish 'Chlodovech,' composed of 'hlud' (fame, glory) and 'wig' (war, battle) — meaning 'famous warrior.' The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans after 1066 and has been used in England and Wales ever since. In Wales, Lewis is especially common, often as an anglicization of the Welsh name Llywelyn.

What is the origin of the name Lewis?

Lewis has Germanic via French, Old Frankish, English, Welsh, French, and American origins. In Germanic via French, it means "famous warrior". In Old Frankish, it means "glory in battle".

Is Lewis a boy or girl name?

Lewis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #435. As a girl name, it is ranked #28904. Lewis is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Lewis?

Lewis is pronounced l-OO-ihs.

How popular is the name Lewis?

Lewis is currently ranked #435 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Lewis?

Common nicknames for Lewis include Lew and Louie.

What are good middle names for Lewis?

Popular middle name pairings include Lewis James, Lewis Arthur, Lewis Charles, Lewis Thomas, Lewis Henry, Lewis George, and Lewis Edward.

What are good sibling names for Lewis?

Names that pair well with Lewis as siblings include Albert, Arthur, Harriet, Florence, Edith, George, and Clarence.

How many syllables does Lewis have?

Lewis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Lewis a common or rare name?

Lewis is a popular name, ranked #435 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Lewis

Lewis is a boy name with English, Welsh, French, and American origins . The name means "famous warrior" in Germanic via French .

Is Lewis a boy or girl name? Lewis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #435 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,904. Lewis is more commonly used as a boy name.

Lewis is currently ranked #435 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Lewis has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-OO-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Lewis include Lew and Louie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.