Given name & surname · also Hawaiian
Lulu
“a calm, peaceful woman”·“as precious as a pearl”
Lulu is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “a calm, peaceful woman” and “as precious as a pearl”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “a calm, peaceful woman” and “as precious as a pearl”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with Hawaiian and African naming traditions.
How it developed
In German use, Lulu is used as an affectionate form of Luise.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Lulu through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 12,709
- 0 boys · 12,709 girls
- Most popular year
- 1886
- 376 babies
- 2025
- 50
- #3,194 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −3%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 50 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,194 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 3.1% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 376 in 1886. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (7). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,955 as a first name in 2020; 303 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Lulu’s family of names
In English usage, Lulu is a diminutive of Louise. In English usage, Lulu has a related form in Lula. In English usage, Lulu is a diminutive of Lucy.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Lulu has relatives in 4 languages. Lines run from its Hawaiian roots to each of them.
13 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 17
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Lulu
- Lulu WilsonAmerican actressborn 2005
- Lulu WangAsian-American filmmakerborn 1983
- Lulu SunNew Zealand and Swiss tennis playerborn 2001
- Lulu WangDutch writerborn 1960
- Lulu RanneFinnish politicianborn 1971
- Lulu AntariksaAmerican actress and singerborn 1995
- Lulu ZaharaniIndonesian model and pageant titleholder (born 2003)
- Lulu Whitebrothel madam, procuress, entrepreneur in New Orleans, Louisiana during the Storyville period1868–1931
- Lulu PopplewellBritish actressborn 1991
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Lulu, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Mellie
“a dark-skinned beauty” · “one who is sweet and gentle”
>99% girls
Mabelle
“one who is lovable”
>99% girls
Meta
Meta is used as a given name and a surname. Meta is connected with Margaret.
>99% girls
Bell
“from the sacred wood” · “a handsome friend”
>99% girls
Una
“one who is pure; chaste”
>99% girls
Ola
“one who is precious” · “giver of life: well-being”
>99% girls
Kittie
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% girls
Zula
“one who is brilliant; from the town of Zula”
>99% girls