Name of the Day: Lewis
Not long ago, we featured the daringly unusual Aloysius. It’s a bit much for a modern boy to wear, so we’re delighted that Kim suggested we take on the related – and infinitely more user-friendly – Lewis.
Lewis has a long history. He’s probably best considered part of the name cluster that traces back to Ludwig, a Germanic name meaning famous warrior, and includes Ludovic, Clovis and yes, Louis. In one form or another, it’s by far the most popular name choice for the Kings of France.
Many names brought over during the Norman invasion were altered in England, and Louis was no exception. Lowis appears in the records in the 1100s; a few years later, the spelling Lewis is clearly favored. Centuries later, Lewis remains dominant in the UK. He’s been a Top 20 pick for the last five years, and ranks an uncontested #1 in Scotland.
Lewis may also be related to the Welsh Llywelyn or Llewellyn. Some argue Llewellyn is derived from llew, or lion; others suggest that llyw, or leader, is the appropriate source. Ancient British name Lugubelenus is also a contender. And Lewis sometimes substitutes for a host of Jewish surnames, including Levy and Levi.
Add up the possible attributions, and Lewis is a commonly heard moniker through the ages, as both a surname and given name. Little wonder that notable bearers exist in nearly every field of endeavor: Jerry Lee Lewis, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sinclair Lewis, CS Lewis and even Saint David Lewis. Inspector Robbie Lewis solves crimes on his eponymous ITV detective drama. Charles Dodgson went chasing rabbits and hunting snarks under the pen name Lewis Carroll. Lewis Reed became known as Lou, and changed rock forever as part of The Velvet Underground.
It’s a common place name, too, found in at least eight US states and an island in Scotland’s Hebrides.
In the US, Louis has clearly been the favored spelling over the years. In the late 19th century, Louis ranked in the Top 20, while Lewis lagged a dozen or more spaces behind. Today, both are on the decline. Louis comes in at a respectable #345; Lewis, at a nearly obscure #699.
If Lewis seems too scholarly for an active child, you might consider this: Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz tell us in The Baby Name Bible that Lash is the favored Rom adaptation of Louis/Lewis. We think it could make a dashing nickname for a son.
Regardless of the spelling you favor, this name has a long history of use and manages to be current without being too common. Lewis gives the appellation a bit of a last-names-first feel and can also nod to a family’s Scottish or Welsh roots. It’s not a trend-setting choice, but it is an enduring one.
Filed under: Last Names First, Literary Babes, Names for Boys, Names of the Day | 5 Comments
Tags: Lash, Lewis, Louis
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Recent Comments
Even with my Scottish roots, I prefer Louis (as Lou-ee, not Lewis) They’re two completely different names to this Yankee, which drives most everyone I know bananas. They’re the same for most everyone I know. Lewis is also primarity a surname to me. Of all the possibly relateds you posted, Llewellyn is easily my favorite of the bunch. I like Llewellyn’s sweeping style.
Lash seems rather kinky to me too, but then, I think in twisted ways… so maybe that’s just me. To most he’d probably sound Western/Cowboy-ish . I rarely, if ever agree with Redmond & Satran. I own several of their books but when I read them, my DH makes fun of me, I argue with the printed word!
Overall, Lewis is kind of cool though. He’s snappy sounding, handsome, easy for just about anyone to figure out and he gets a bonus for this Scrabble fan, his W! I just prefer the lighthearted sound of Louis to the slightly ponderous Lewis. I’d rather meet a Lewis and yet another -aiden/Jacoob or *sigh* Gavin.
I adore all the variants of this name. I like Llewellyn, although I think it sounds a pretty feminine to the average American ear. Lewis seems like a more cowboy-ish choice because of the popularity of Lewis and Clark around here, where Louis has pronounciation issues. LOO-is or LOO-ee? I think Lash would be a bit much as nickname, but if he’s a football star or something, it might work.
Oh dear I’m really not a fan of Lewis and far prefer the French, regal sounding Louis (they are completely separate names to me too Lola!)
Llewellyn sounds too Welsh for me – its a fairly common Welsh surname and I wouldn’t be able to get past that, I’ll admit that it does sound rather dashing though! (An interesting middle name perhaps?)
As for Lash, perhaps Lash doesn’t have the same connotations in the US, but in the UK ‘going out on the lash’ is a euphemism for getting drunk!
I adore Lewis, and used to be considering it for a boy before my aunt broke up with her fiance, Louis, called Louie. Llewellyn is definitely growing on me, but possibly as a middle name…? I really can’t believe that Louis is more popular than Lewis in the US, I’d think it would have some sort of following as a surname name that is also a first name. It’s legit, and a “misspelling” to the untrained eye. Shame, really, I truly love it. I’m not sure how much of a nickname Lash could be, it realy just reminds me of lashes, as in abuse, which isn’t something you want your child associated with. I think Lew is cuter than Lou, but there isn’t a great way to spell Louie for Lewis. Lewwie? Lewy?
We’re hoping to make Scotland our Christmas vacation trip with the girls, so I’m hoping to get some glimpse of the many Lewis-es! When we went to England you couldn’t swing a four foot stick without finding a baby Ruby, it was magnificent!
Katharine, thank you for the lesson in slang! Let’s consider my clever nickname suggestion a few notches less appealing. *Blushes.*
I love Llewellyn myself, but my aunt and uncle live in an upscale gated community called Llewellyn Park, so it has rather different associations for me.
I forgot to mention this in the original post, but one of the funny things about Louis/Lewis is this – the most popular variant of the name in the US today is NEITHER. Instead, the Latino Luis is the clear frontrunner.