Meaning & History
Lulu is a diminutive of names beginning with Lou or Lu, such as Louise or Lucinda. It is used in English and German contexts as a short, affectionate form.
The name traces its roots through Louise, the French feminine form of Louis. Louis itself derives from Ludovicus, the Latinized form of Ludwig, ultimately of Germanic origin meaning 'famous warrior' (from hlud 'famous' and wig 'war'). The success of the various surnames and given names in this family owes much to the Normans, who brought the name to England and helped spread its many forms.
While Lulu lacks of itself a well-known bearer separate from the character from Lulu (a 1912 play by Frank Wedekind, later adapted into an opera by Alban Berg), its related form Lou and variants have charmed parents for centuries. Lula 1 is a special relative, sharing English usage as another shortening. The Dutch and other Non-English speakers might reach for Lucia or Lucilla — both foreign cousin given the shared initial sound. In this grouping, Lulu may also be related to Lucy, itself a variant of the Roman i>max-mean?
- Meaning: Diminutive of names meaning 'famous warrior' (via Louise/Louis).
- Origin: English, German.
- Type: Diminutive/nickname — rarely given as a fullness by itself in modern Western registers.
- Usage: Predominantly English and German, though the musical influence suggests more spanning occurrence.