Why is Julian Alaphilippe nicknamed Loulou?

[Veloo]

I think the kids these days say - I was today years old when I learned that Julian Alaphilippe is nicknamed "Loulou".

I'm not seeing the connection. Is it a derivation from a French word?

I can get Juju. But that evolves into Loulou somehow?

[Hindmost]

Pronunciation...

[christian]

Why was Sylvain Chavanel nicknamed Mimosa, after Popeye's son? There are some mysteries we will likely never know...

[El Chaba]

They could call Alaphilippe “Poindexter” and he would still be just as awesome….

[ghammer]

Nicknames need no reason, and often get tripped when trying to decipher if said nickname is from another language. I'd love the idea of racers having their names on jerseys, like they do in soccer (futebol/football). I'd also like to emphasize that some countries have the habit of printing the names/nicknames of their players on the jerseys (check the Brazilian socer teams, any of them). Some of the nicknames are borderline racist, but were given in their youth. People should embrace the nicknames (not necessarily the racist ones), and sell jerseys accordingly.

As for LouLou, it's silly, but works and befits his playful character.

[El Chaba]

If I had to hypothesize, “Lou” is short for “Julian” and doubling it to ”LouLou” is a nod to Raymond Poulidor who was known as “PouPou” which does not translate well at all….

[NateM]

Loup is the translation for wolf

[benb]

Originally Posted by NateM

Loup is the translation for wolf

Loup Garou (werewolf) would be even better of a nickname.

Nicknames need not make sense in any case.

[jemoryl]

Originally Posted by El Chaba

If I had to hypothesize, “Lou” is short for “Julian” and doubling it to ”LouLou” is a nod to Raymond Poulidor who was known as “PouPou” which does not translate well at all….

I’m surprised that the company that supplies kit to UAE chose the name ‘Pissei’. Too bad Poulidor isn’t still around as a brand ambassador.

[stefthehat]

Looking into a nicknames genesis is so often really disappointing,for decades I erroneously assumed mountain biker Tinker Juarez’ nickname referred to cycle mechanics and only found out very recently it went back to when he was a baby/toddler and started out as ‘Stinker’ ,oh **** really ? !

[jlwdm]

It is the familiar name of Julian.

Jeff