Louis of Anhalt-Köthen (the Younger)

Louis of Anhalt-Köthen (born August 17, 1607, Köthen; died January 5, 1650, Köthen) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen. He is also known as Louis the Younger to distinguish him from his uncle, Louis of Anhalt-Köthen (the Elder), who preceded him as Prince.

Louis the Younger succeeded his father, Augustus of Anhalt-Plötzkau, as Prince of Anhalt-Köthen in 1635. He was a member of the Fruitbearing Society ( Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft), a German literary society dedicated to promoting and standardizing the German language. His society name was der Wohlriechende (the Fragrant) and his motto was "Its smell heals."

His reign coincided with the later stages of the Thirty Years' War, a period of great devastation and hardship for the German lands. While Anhalt-Köthen suffered during the conflict, Louis attempted to maintain neutrality and focused on rebuilding and administrative reforms within his principality when possible.

He was married to Sophie of Lippe. They had no surviving male issue; consequently, upon his death, the principality of Anhalt-Köthen passed to his cousin William Louis of Anhalt-Plötzkau.