Meaning & History
Luanne is a modern English feminine given name, derived as a Luann by opening the second syllable. It can be seen either as a combination of the short forms Lou (from Louise or Louis) and Ann, or as a variant of Luana, a name of Polynesian origin meaning "pleasure" or "enjoyment." The name shares its roots with Louise, the French feminine form of Louis, derived from the Germanic name Chlodowig ("famous warrior").
Cultural notability
Luanne is most familiar in pop culture as a first name, though its most prominent media reference is the 1981 song "Luanne" by the rock band Foreigner, released as their fifth single from the album 4. The track, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, peaked at number 75 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In Spanish and Portuguese cultures, the close variant Luana is more common, reflecting Portuguese usage.
Distribution and related forms
Luanne is almost exclusively used in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, where the blend of Lou and Ann became fashionable in the mid-20th century. Related variants include Luanna and the aforementioned Luann, the latter popularized in the 1950s by singer Lu Ann Simms (1933–2003).
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Luanne