Luke Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Luke Name Meaning

Fact: In the United States, Luke reached its peak popularity in 2015 when it was the 28th most popular name for boys.

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A Deep Dive

Luke Overview

Meaning

Light-giving, from Lucania

Gender

Boy

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Originates from the Latin name Lucas, derived from the Greek name Loukas, meaning “from Lucania” – a region in southern Italy.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/luːk/

Popularity

Luke has been consistently popular, ranking within the top 100 in several countries such as USA, Ireland, New Zealand. As of 2023, it ranks around #34 in the United States.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)

Name Styles

Classic, Short, Cool, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Integrity, intelligence, generosity

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Luke is a biblical name, associated with Saint Luke, an evangelist and the author of the Third Gospel and Acts in the New Testament.

Name Day

October 18th
A Deep Dive

Luke Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Lucas, Louca, Lukas, Lucien, Lucanus, Luuk, Loek

Common Nicknames

Lukey, Lucky, Luke Skywalker, Luca, Lukester, Lukey Bear, Lucas, Luke the Duke, Lukinator, Luke-a-licious

Diminutives

Loek, Luuk, Lucky

Famous People

  • Luke Bryan
    (American Singer)
  • Luke Combs
    (American Singer)
  • Luke Hemsworth
    (Australian Actor)
  • Luke Evans
    (Welsh Actor and Singer)
  • Luke Wilson
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Luke Skywalker
    ("Star Wars," Film)
  • Luke Danes
    ("Gilmore Girls," TV Show)

Places

  • Luke Town
    (Maryland, USA)
  • Luke Village
    (Had_i_i, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
  • Luke Village
    (Kriva Palanka, Macedonia)
  • Luke Village
    (Tartumaa, Estonia)

What Is the Meaning of Luke?

The name Luke means “from Lucania,” referring to a region in southern Italy. It also has connotations of “light-giving”, “light” and “bringer of light” in different cultural contexts​.

What Is the Origin of The Name Luke?

Luke originates from the Greek name Loukas and has been used in various forms throughout Christian history due to its biblical associations. It was popularized by Saint Luke, an early Christian who is believed to have written the third Gospel and Acts in the New Testament.

Luke Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Luke in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#322021#342022#312023
Top 3 Rankings#282014#282015#292016

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Luke

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202331
(+3 from 2022)
7217
(-165 from 2022)
0.39412
202234
(-2 from 2021)
7382
(-318 from 2021)
0.39413
202132
(-1 from 2020)
7700
(-78 from 2020)
0.41097
202031
(+1 from 2019)
7778
(-660 from 2019)
0.42051
201932
(-3 from 2018)
8438
(-182 from 2018)
0.43907
201829
(+1 from 2017)
8620
(-603 from 2017)
0.44347
201730
(-1 from 2016)
9223
(-773 from 2016)
0.46601
201629
(-1 from 2015)
9996
(-295 from 2015)
0.49348
201528
No change from 2014
10291
(-229 from 2014)
0.50337
201428
(+5 from 2013)
10520
(+934 from 2013)
0.51337
201333
(+4 from 2012)
9586
(+567 from 2012)
0.47439
201237
(+2 from 2011)
9019
(+314 from 2011)
0.44447
201139
(+2 from 2010)
8705
(-144 from 2010)
0.42852
201041
(+6 from 2009)
8849
(+228 from 2009)
0.43073
200947
(-4 from 2008)
8621
(-800 from 2008)
0.40648
200843
(+3 from 2007)
9421
(-187 from 2007)
0.43207
200746
(-3 from 2006)
9608
(-478 from 2006)
0.43376
200643
(-2 from 2005)
10086
(+75 from 2005)
0.46005
200541
No change from 2004
10011
(+414 from 2004)
0.47059
200441
(+5 from 2003)
9597
(+294 from 2003)
0.45411
200346
No change from 2002
9303
(+611 from 2002)
0.44275
200246
(+4 from 2001)
8692
(+684 from 2001)
0.42058
200150
(+9 from 2000)
8008
(+860 from 2000)
0.38716
200059
(+8 from 1999)
7148
(+1010 from 1999)
0.34228
199967
(+8 from 1998)
6138
(+855 from 1998)
0.30103
199875
(+3 from 1997)
5283
(+330 from 1997)
0.26055
199778
(-3 from 1996)
4953
(-64 from 1996)
0.24792
199675
(+7 from 1995)
5017
(+388 from 1995)
0.25038
199582
(+9 from 1994)
4629
(+534 from 1994)
0.23014
199491
(-4 from 1993)
4095
(-262 from 1993)
0.20090
199387
(+6 from 1992)
4357
(+291 from 1992)
0.21094
199293
(+20 from 1991)
4066
(+1053 from 1991)
0.19370
1991113
(+5 from 1990)
3013
(+131 from 1990)
0.14214
1990118
(+3 from 1989)
2882
(+170 from 1989)
0.13392
1989121
(-2 from 1988)
2712
(+90 from 1988)
0.12939
1988119
(-8 from 1987)
2622
(+30 from 1987)
0.13095
1987111
(-5 from 1986)
2592
(-62 from 1986)
0.13291
1986106
No change from 1985
2654
(-90 from 1985)
0.13811
1985106
(+4 from 1984)
2744
(+271 from 1984)
0.14259
1984110
(-5 from 1983)
2473
(-182 from 1983)
0.13177
1983105
(+14 from 1982)
2655
(+177 from 1982)
0.14247
1982119
(-19 from 1981)
2478
(-537 from 1981)
0.13131
1981100
(-3 from 1980)
3015
(-96 from 1980)
0.16189
198097
(+13 from 1979)
3111
(+640 from 1979)
0.16773
1979110
(+29 from 1978)
2471
(+589 from 1978)
0.13794
1978139
(+51 from 1977)
1882
(+641 from 1977)
0.11015
1977190
(+33 from 1976)
1241
(+327 from 1976)
0.07260
1976223
(+33 from 1975)
914
(+135 from 1975)
0.05598
1975256
(+9 from 1974)
779
(+54 from 1974)
0.04802
1974265
(+20 from 1973)
725
(+92 from 1973)
0.04447
1973285
(+34 from 1972)
633
(+58 from 1972)
0.03923
1972319
(+28 from 1971)
575
(+45 from 1971)
0.03435
1971347
(+4 from 1970)
530
(-5 from 1970)
0.02916
1970351
(+16 from 1969)
535
(+83 from 1969)
0.02809
1969367
(+29 from 1968)
452
(+65 from 1968)
0.02471
1968396
(+13 from 1967)
387
(+41 from 1967)
0.02180
1967409
(-11 from 1966)
346
(-9 from 1966)
0.01944
1966398
(-6 from 1965)
355
(-45 from 1965)
0.01953
1965392
(-18 from 1964)
400
(-45 from 1964)
0.02111
1964374
(+12 from 1963)
445
(+22 from 1963)
0.02195
1963386
(+5 from 1962)
423
(-4 from 1962)
0.02049
1962391
No change from 1961
427
(+12 from 1961)
0.02032
1961391
(-6 from 1960)
415
(-8 from 1960)
0.01924
1960385
(+39 from 1959)
423
(+71 from 1959)
0.01953
1959424
(+4 from 1958)
352
(+14 from 1958)
0.01625
1958428
(+24 from 1957)
338
(+47 from 1957)
0.01569
1957452
(+35 from 1956)
291
(+46 from 1956)
0.01329
1956487
(+13 from 1955)
245
(+26 from 1955)
0.01142
1955500
(+16 from 1954)
219
(+22 from 1954)
0.01048
1954516
(+28 from 1953)
197
(+28 from 1953)
0.00952
1953544
(+12 from 1952)
169
(+11 from 1952)
0.00844
1952556
(-31 from 1951)
158
(-11 from 1951)
0.00801
1951525
(-11 from 1950)
169
(-1 from 1950)
0.00884
1950514
(+19 from 1949)
170
(+15 from 1949)
0.00935
1949533
(-1 from 1948)
155
No change from 1948
0.00860
1948532
(+16 from 1947)
155
(+4 from 1947)
0.00869
1947548
(+14 from 1946)
151
(+21 from 1946)
0.00813
1946562
(-9 from 1945)
130
(+13 from 1945)
0.00788
1945553
(+10 from 1944)
117
No change from 1944
0.00853
1944563
(+2 from 1943)
117
(-9 from 1943)
0.00842
1943565
(+33 from 1942)
126
(+16 from 1942)
0.00866
1942598
(-63 from 1941)
110
(-11 from 1941)
0.00781
1941535
(+10 from 1940)
121
(+5 from 1940)
0.00964
1940545
(-12 from 1939)
116
No change from 1939
0.00978
1939533
(-11 from 1938)
116
(-7 from 1938)
0.01024
1938522
(+25 from 1937)
123
(+10 from 1937)
0.01082
1937547
(-18 from 1936)
113
(-3 from 1936)
0.01033
1936529
(-4 from 1935)
116
(-5 from 1935)
0.01090
1935525
(+5 from 1934)
121
(-1 from 1934)
0.01131
1934530
(+13 from 1933)
122
(+12 from 1933)
0.01149
1933543
(-105 from 1932)
110
(-55 from 1932)
0.01078
1932438
(+36 from 1931)
165
(+23 from 1931)
0.01536
1931474
(+29 from 1930)
142
(+1 from 1930)
0.01327
1930503
(-29 from 1929)
141
(-12 from 1929)
0.01248
1929474
(+21 from 1928)
153
(+4 from 1928)
0.01381
1928495
(-14 from 1927)
149
(-9 from 1927)
0.01306
1927481
(-9 from 1926)
158
(-4 from 1926)
0.01360
1926472
(-5 from 1925)
162
(-3 from 1925)
0.01414
1925467
(-43 from 1924)
165
(-41 from 1924)
0.01433
1924424
(+25 from 1923)
206
(+21 from 1923)
0.01762
1923449
(-9 from 1922)
185
(-5 from 1922)
0.01634
1922440
(+36 from 1921)
190
(+25 from 1921)
0.01689
1921476
(-4 from 1920)
165
(-1 from 1920)
0.01450
1920472
(-13 from 1919)
166
(+1 from 1919)
0.01508
1919459
(-12 from 1918)
165
(-11 from 1918)
0.01625
1918447
(-4 from 1917)
176
(+13 from 1917)
0.01678
1917443
(-32 from 1916)
163
(-20 from 1916)
0.01699
1916411
(+21 from 1915)
183
(+26 from 1915)
0.01982
1915432
(-67 from 1914)
157
(-11 from 1914)
0.01782
1914365
(+37 from 1913)
168
(+53 from 1913)
0.02459
1913402
(+26 from 1912)
115
(+32 from 1912)
0.02145
1912428
(-79 from 1911)
83
(+21 from 1911)
0.01838
1911349
(-58 from 1910)
62
(-9 from 1910)
0.02568
1910291
(+11 from 1909)
71
(+14 from 1909)
0.03405
1909302
(+1 from 1908)
57
(+5 from 1908)
0.03223
1908303
(+15 from 1907)
52
(+7 from 1907)
0.03126
1907318
(-57 from 1906)
45
(-12 from 1906)
0.02838
1906261
(+9 from 1905)
57
(+4 from 1905)
0.03957
1905270
(+42 from 1904)
53
(+13 from 1904)
0.03700
1904312
(-39 from 1903)
40
(-6 from 1903)
0.02888
1903273
(+26 from 1902)
46
(+5 from 1902)
0.03557
1902299
(-15 from 1901)
41
(+4 from 1901)
0.03089
1901284
(-41 from 1900)
37
(-33 from 1900)
0.03201
1900243
(+51 from 1899)
70
(+35 from 1899)
0.04318
1899294
(+13 from 1898)
35
(-3 from 1898)
0.03038
1898307
(-44 from 1897)
38
(-6 from 1897)
0.02877
1897263
(+7 from 1896)
44
(-1 from 1896)
0.03608
1896270
(-25 from 1895)
45
(-8 from 1895)
0.03486
1895245
(+63 from 1894)
53
(+21 from 1894)
0.04185
1894308
(-53 from 1893)
32
(-16 from 1893)
0.02562
1893255
(+24 from 1892)
48
(+6 from 1892)
0.03966
1892279
(+80 from 1891)
42
(+19 from 1891)
0.03195
1891359
(-91 from 1890)
23
(-19 from 1890)
0.02105
1890268
(-24 from 1889)
42
(-2 from 1889)
0.03509
1889244
(+18 from 1888)
44
(-1 from 1888)
0.03696
1888262
(-32 from 1887)
45
(-2 from 1887)
0.03464
1887230
(+5 from 1886)
47
(-3 from 1886)
0.04300
1886235
(-2 from 1885)
50
No change from 1885
0.04200
1885233
(+38 from 1884)
50
(+11 from 1884)
0.04312
1884271
(-8 from 1883)
39
(+1 from 1883)
0.03178
1883263
(-5 from 1882)
38
(-6 from 1882)
0.03379
1882258
(-21 from 1881)
44
(+2 from 1881)
0.03606
1881237
(+15 from 1880)
42
(-1 from 1880)
0.03879
1880252
First SSA data recorded
43
First SSA data recorded
0.03632

American States Popularity Rankings for Luke

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#442021#432022#412023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#232021#212022#242023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#362021#292022#372023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#542021#552022#532023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#272021#272022#272023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#332021#322022#332023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#432021#572022#522023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#222021#282022#182023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#212021#192022#172023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#292021#442022#272023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#362021#432022#402023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#272021#342022#392023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#472021#542022#442023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#252021#282022#122023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#392021#362022#382023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#412021#342022#432023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#242021#302022#292023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#412021#582022#682023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#362021#352022#362023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#102021#42022#92023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#412021#392022#352023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#502021#432022#402023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#352021#312022#462023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#152021#192022#262023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#282021#302022#402023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#102021#232022#202023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#302021#232022#292023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#292021#352022#342023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#592021#422022#402023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#372021#332022#232023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#582021#642022#302023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#322021#372022#202023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#112021#202022#252023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#342021#242022#312023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#452021#622022#342023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#402021#552022#402023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#112021#242022#292023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#632021#512022#242023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#222021#342022#242023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#522021#542022#232023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#72021#232022#92023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#292021#432022#482023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#492021#422022#302023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#772021#572022#612023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#442021#792022#462023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#142021#852022#232023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#732021#482022#222023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#232021#452022#362023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#422021#452022#1022023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#642021#472022#872023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#332021#772022#242023

Popularity Rankings for Luke in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#182021#202022#202023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#362021#212022#422023

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#321377-1381

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#502021#362022#522023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#632021#392022#382023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#412021#662022#672023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#802016#472017#602018

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#902021#1002022#862023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#902021#932022#972023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1002019#1092020#1172021

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2402023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2652020#2852021#2862022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3742016#4112017#4052019

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#3942020#4302021#5022022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#4792022#4792023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Luke a Name for Boys or Girls?

Luke is primarily a masculine name. It is widely used for boys across different cultures and languages.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Luke

Luke in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Luke Bryan (Singer, born 1976): An American country music singer and songwriter, known for hits like "Country Girl" and "Play It Again". He's also a judge on "American Idol".
  • Luke Combs (Singer, born 1990): An American country singer who has topped the Billboard Country charts with songs like "Beautiful Crazy" and "When It Rains It Pours".
  • Luke Hemsworth (Actor, born 1980): An Australian actor best known for his role as Ashley Stubbs in the HBO series "Westworld".
  • Luke Evans (Actor, born 1979): A Welsh actor and singer noted for roles in major films like "Dracula Untold" and "Beauty and the Beast".
  • Luke Wilson (Actor, born 1971): An American actor famous for his roles in comedies like "Legally Blonde" and "Idiocracy".
  • Luke Rockhold (Mixed Martial Artist, born 1984): A former UFC Middleweight Champion and professional model from the United States.
  • Luke Kuechly (NFL Player, born 1991): A former professional American football player who was a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL.
  • Luke Walton (Basketball Coach, born 1980): An American professional basketball coach and former player, currently the head coach for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA.
  • Luke Perry (Actor, 1966-2019): An American actor best known for his role as Dylan McKay on the TV series "Beverly Hills, 90210".
  • Luke Goss (Actor, born 1968): An English actor and former drummer of the 1980s band Bros, known for roles in "Blade II" and "Hellboy II".
  • Luke Campbell (Boxer, born 1987): A British professional boxer who has competed at the highest levels in the lightweight division.
  • Luke Donald (Golfer, born 1977): A professional golfer from England who has had multiple victories on the PGA Tour.
  • Luke Skywalker ("Star Wars" 1977 Film Series): A farm boy who becomes a Jedi Knight, playing a crucial role in the galaxy's fight against the Galactic Empire.
  • Luke Danes ("Gilmore Girls," 2000 TV Show): Owner of the local diner in Stars Hollow, known for his romantic involvement with Lorelai Gilmore.
  • "Luke Cage" (2016 TV Series): The series focuses on Luke Cage, a man with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who becomes a vigilante fighting crime in Harlem.
  • Luke Town (Maryland, USA): A town located in the northeastern part of the state, known for its historical paper mill.
  • Luke Village (Hadžići, Bosnia and Herzegovina): A small village in the municipality of Hadžići.
  • Luke Village (Kriva Palanka, Macedonia): A rural mountain village in Macedonia, located near the border with Bulgaria.
  • Luke Village (Tartumaa, Estonia): Situated in the northern part of Estonia, Tartumaa is known for its historical and cultural significance in the region.

Similar Names to Luke

Sibling Names for Luke