Elouise

Meaning of Elouise

Elouise, pronounced el-oo-EEZ, is a modern English respelling of Eloise, the medieval French form of the Germanic Helewidis—an old compound thought to marry the elements for “healthy” and “wide.” The added u nods to Louise (from Ludwig, “famous warrior”), giving the name a double-dose of vintage strength that feels both hale and heroic. In the United States, Elouise first flourished during the flapper era, hovered respectably through mid-century, slipped into near-retirement in the 1980s, and has been edging back into fashion since the 2010s, most recently ranking in the mid-600s. The revival rides the broader appetite for antique chic: Elouise sounds familiar yet slightly off the well-worn path, a cousin to Eloise and Louise who keeps her own counsel. Literary types may hear an echo of the mischievous Eloise of Plaza Hotel fame, while music lovers might recall jazz singer Elouise “Louise” Lawless; neither reference dominates, allowing parents to project their own stories onto the name.