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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Louis or Louie?

60 replies

magbags · 10/06/2009 14:33

We are considering the boys name Louie.

I know that the traditional spelling is Louis but I've heard some discussion on previous threads about incorrect pronunciation of this (as in Loo-is) which I would find really annoying.

To avoid this issue we are considering using the more intuitive (imo) spelling of Louie, which is written as you would say it, Loo-ee.

Is this a legitemate alternative way to spell the name? Opinions please!

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PussyGalour · 14/06/2009 17:48

Louis for me !

violethill · 14/06/2009 12:12

Hear hear pagwatch!

If people think Louis, a French name, is pronounced 'Lewis' then they're pretty dim!

pagwatch · 14/06/2009 11:49

How odd. My teenage son is Louis and is rarely called Lewis. Most people know how to pronounce Louis. Some dimwits people will occasionally try to spell it Lewis.

TBH Louie just looks as if you don't know how to spell it properly. Because you won't be spelling it properly.
It is like spelling Albert 'Albut' just because some people may pronounce it that way or Feebe.. If you want to make up a name make one up rather than bastardising a traditional one

ellingwoman · 14/06/2009 11:37

Nearly all the boys named Louis I have known have pronounced it Lewis. I think it's one of those names that on reading will always be prefaced with 'do you pronounce it Louie or Lewis?'. Go with Louie - I would

pranma · 14/06/2009 11:29

Louis its French and gorgeous
Louie looks like a gangster to me

violethill · 14/06/2009 10:16

Lewis = pronunciation Loo-is

Louis = pronunciation Loo-ie

I really honestly think most people know the difference. Louie is a made up spelling, and looks like a mis-spelling of Louise.

piscesmoon · 14/06/2009 09:35

Louis-people will get used to the pronunciation.

MrsMattie · 14/06/2009 09:25

I like both of them equally (sorry!).

I think I'd probably go qwith Louis because it looks more 'classic' (although I hate the name Lewis ie ' Loo-iss', so would grapple with that..)

Louie is cute, though, and I know a ittle French boy with that spelling.

trixiechick · 14/06/2009 09:23

Louis,
Don't worry my nephew Louis was born six months ago and there is no question of a mispronunciation from anyone. I personally would only think Lou-is if i saw it spelt Lewis. It's a lovely name that will grow really well with your boy. It's very easy to get tied up in knots with ifs and buts - just go with it!

hullygully · 11/06/2009 19:32

Loowee

Original poster
magbags · 11/06/2009 19:30

Thanks for all the feedback so far on which spelling to go for. Have been reading all your opinions out to dh to help us decide!

OP posts:
QueenofSpleen · 10/06/2009 23:10

Louis any other spelling looks daft.

ravenAK · 10/06/2009 21:57

Louis is much more traditional.

A mate of mine called her ds (now late teens) Louie to avoid mispronunciation - ie. people calling him Lewis.

He's changed the spelling to Louis (mostly he answers to Lou) because he thinks Louie is a 'little boy's name'.

I'm inclined to agree with him tbh - it's a much more usual name than it was then & people do know how it's pronounced.

paisleyleaf · 10/06/2009 21:55

I think the same as Joycey: Louis
or it looks like you don't know how to spell it.

Tidey · 10/06/2009 21:54

I would automatically pronounce Louis in the correct way. If people want the name Lewis, they normally spell it that way, don't they?

Ronaldinhio · 10/06/2009 21:53

louis

v nice btw imho

KittyWalker · 10/06/2009 21:52

Louis

sophiesmummie · 10/06/2009 21:51

In some languages, German for example, Louis is pronounced Loo-is.

Louie avoids any doubt about its pronounciation, so I would go for that spelling.

thisisyesterday · 10/06/2009 20:33

i prefer Louis myself. don't know why, just like it better.

Joycey29 · 10/06/2009 20:29

Go for Louis - Louie just looks like you don't know the correct way to spell it!
Have both in the class and much prefer Louis!

Tambajam · 10/06/2009 20:27

We have one of each at school. I have no problem with Louie. I really don't like the Lewis pronounciation and I think it solves the problem quite neatly.

lotspot · 10/06/2009 20:21

i know a Louis pronounced Loo-ee and pretty much everyone pronounces it Loo-ee when seeing it written down!

Also, everyone writes it Louis without asking so i would say go with Louis - Louie looks wrong to me

daizydoo · 10/06/2009 16:59

If you call your child Louis, I think you'll find a lot of people will spell it Louie...

jellybeans · 10/06/2009 16:56

I like Louie as am never sure whether Louis is a Loo-iss or loo-ee as know of both these for the Louis spelling.

gladders · 10/06/2009 16:49

Louis

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