Back to Baby Names

Lois

Pronunciation: [ l-OH-uhs ]

Girl Name #1,692 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A plucky vintage name with biblical roots

English American Welsh
Vintage Classic Gentle Literary

Meaning & Origin

"superior, more desirable"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
"faithful, good"
Origin: Biblical Greek
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly associated with Lois Lane from Superman since 1938

The Story of Lois

Lois appears in the New Testament as the name of the grandmother of Timothy, described by Paul as a woman of sincere faith. The name likely derives from the Greek loion meaning superior or more desirable. It was adopted into English use through biblical tradition and gained widespread use in the early 20th century.

Lois was extremely popular in the 1920s-1940s in the US, partly through Lois Lane in Superman comics (1938). After decades of decline, it is experiencing a modest revival as vintage names come back into fashion.

Lois Lane, the fearless journalist and love interest in Superman, is one of the most iconic fictional characters bearing this name, making it synonymous with intelligence and independence.

Fun Facts

  • Lois Lane first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938, the same issue that introduced Superman
  • Lois is one of only two women mentioned by name in Paul's letters in the New Testament

Lois in Other Languages

Welsh Lois
French Louise
German Lois
Spanish Luisa

Famous People Named Lois

L

Lois Lane Fictional

Other

Fearless investigative journalist and Superman's love interest, first appearing in Action Comics #1 (1938)

L

Lois Griffin Fictional

Other

Matriarch of the Griffin family in animated sitcom Family Guy

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,692
Total SSA Count
120
Cultural Origins
English American Welsh
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Lo

Pairs Well With

Lois Marie Lois Anne Lois Jean Lois Ellen Lois Claire

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Lois is also used as a boy name, ranked #19882.

View Lois as a boy name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

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

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

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

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Lois

What does the name Lois mean?
"superior, more desirable" (from Greek). "faithful, good" (from Biblical Greek). Lois appears in the New Testament as the name of the grandmother of Timothy, described by Paul as a woman of sincere faith. The name likely derives from the Greek loion meaning superior or more desirable. It was adopted into English use through biblical tradition and gained widespread use in the early 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Lois?
Lois has Greek, Biblical Greek, English, American, and Welsh origins. In Greek, it means "superior, more desirable". In Biblical Greek, it means "faithful, good".
Is Lois a boy or girl name?
Lois is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1692. As a boy name, it is ranked #19882. Lois is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lois?
Lois is pronounced l-OH-uhs.
How popular is the name Lois?
Lois is currently ranked #1692 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lois?
Common nicknames for Lois include Lo.
What are good middle names for Lois?
Popular middle name pairings include Lois Marie, Lois Anne, Lois Jean, Lois Ellen, and Lois Claire.
What are good sibling names for Lois?
Names that pair well with Lois as siblings include Clark, Nora, Helen, Dorothy, and Rex.
How many syllables does Lois have?
Lois has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lois a common or rare name?
Lois is an uncommon name, ranked #1692 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Lois

Lois is a girl name with English, American, and Welsh origins . The name means "superior, more desirable" in Greek .

Is Lois a boy or girl name? Lois is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,692 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,882. Lois is more commonly used as a girl name.

Lois is currently ranked #1,692 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Lois has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-OH-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Lois include Lo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists