What is Lou short for?

In old records, Lou is usually short for Louis. It can also stand for Louise, Louisa, and Lucy, and others. You will find it in American and British records, chiefly 1800s-1900s. The Lou-to-Louis jump is easy to miss, so it is worth searching both when you hit a dead end.

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FAQs

Does Lou always mean Louis?+

Not always. Lou most often stands for Louis, but it also appears for Louise, Louisa, and Lucy. Confirm against the actual record before you rely on it.

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