Lewis
Meaning of Lewis
Lewis is the anglicized form of the Old French Louis, itself derived from the Germanic compound Hlud-wig—“hlud” meaning fame and “wig” denoting battle—yet it also intersects with the Scottish surname drawn from the Outer Hebridean Isle of Lewis, creating a dual etymological lineage that appeals to both Continental and Celtic sensibilities. Historically borne by medieval kings of France, the name crossed the Atlantic early and has since threaded through Anglo-American culture, being carried by figures as disparate as explorer Meriwether Lewis, theologian-novelist C. S. Lewis, mathematician-author Lewis Carroll, civil-rights leader John Lewis, and modern Formula 1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, collectively reinforcing its association with intellectual rigor, principled leadership, and exploratory zeal. In U.S. vital-statistics data, Lewis has maintained a stable mid-tier presence for more than a century—fluctuating between the 70th and 600th ranks yet never vanishing—indicating enduring, if measured, parental confidence in its classical cadence and straightforward two-syllable phonology (LOO-is). For contemporary parents seeking a name that conveys venerable heritage without succumbing to fashion’s volatility, Lewis offers a well-balanced synthesis of historical gravitas and approachable modernity.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as LOO-is (/ˈluː.ɪs/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Lewis
| Sir Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula One legend with seven world championships and record-breaking achievements in wins, poles, and podiums. |
| Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was an English author renowned for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and his clever use of fantasy and logic. |
| Lewis F. Powell Jr. - Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. served as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1972 to 1987. |
| Lewis Cass was a U.S. Army officer, Michigan senator, cabinet member under Presidents Jackson and Buchanan, the 1848 Democratic presidential nominee, and a leading advocate for popular sovereignty on slavery. |
| Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi gained fame with his hit single "Someone You Loved," which topped charts in the UK and US and earned him multiple awards, including a Brit Award. |
| Lewis Howard Latimer was an American inventor who enhanced electric light bulb filaments and created the evaporative air conditioner. |
| Lewis Gilbert was an English film director, producer, and screenwriter who directed over 40 films in six decades, including Alfie, Educating Rita, and three James Bond movies. |
| Lewis Wickes Hine's photographs of child labor during the Progressive Era helped bring about the first U.S. child labor laws. |
| Lewis Theobald was a pioneering Shakespearean editor who established fair texts and became the first avatar of Dulness in Alexander Pope's "The Dunciad." |
| Lewis William Washington, a great-grandnephew of George Washington, is best remembered for being taken hostage in John Brown's 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, where he served as a spokesperson and testified about the event. |
| Lewis Garrard Clarke was a former slave who shared his firsthand experiences in his book, "Narrative of the Sufferings of Lewis Clarke." |
| Lewis Elton - Lewis Richard Benjamin Elton was a German-born British physicist and researcher specializing in higher education. |
| Lewis Thornton Babcock is a senior U.S. district judge in Colorado and a former Colorado Court of Appeals judge. |
| Admiral Sir Lewis Anthony Beaumont was a Royal Navy officer who commanded as Commander-in-Chief of Plymouth. |
| Lewis Robert Porter is an American jazz pianist, composer, author, and educator. |
