"superior, more desirable"
Lois
Pronunciation: [ l-OH-uhs ]
A plucky vintage name with biblical roots
Meaning & Origin
"faithful, good"
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
Famous People Named Lois
Lois Lane Fictional
Other
Fearless investigative journalist and Superman's love interest, first appearing in Action Comics #1 (1938)
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Lois is also used as a boy name, ranked #19882.
View Lois as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lois
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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.