Louise

Louise is the French feminine form of Louis, itself derived from the Old Frankish name Hludwig, composed of the elements hlud, meaning famous or renowned, and wig, meaning warrior. The name was borne by numerous European noblewomen, most notably Louise of Savoy, mother of the French king Francis I, and later Queen Louise of Prussia, who became a beloved national symbol in the early nineteenth century. It spread widely across Europe and the English-speaking world through French cultural influence. Related forms include Louisa, the Latinized variant favored in English and German contexts, as well as Luisa, Luísa, and the masculine Louis and Ludwig.