How to say it
LOO · kuh
ˈlu.kə
Masculine
Luca
From Lucania, or 'light'
What it means
Italian form of Luke (and the related Lucas), from the Greek Loukas. The root is contested: 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy) or related to the Latin lux/lucis (light).
The Gospel of Luke is one of the four New Testament gospels, making Lucas/Luke central to Christian tradition. Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian all use Luca or Lucas as the modern form. Pixar's 2021 film Luca, set in an Italian coastal town, gave the single-A spelling a US bump. Currently US top hundred for boys. The Italian Luca (no S) is distinct from the Spanish/English Lucas (with S); they're the same name in different mouths.
How to spell Luca
The standard spelling is Luca. Common variants include Lucas, Luc, Lukas, Loukas, but Luca is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #14 in 2025, currently #14 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Luca 2021 Pixar film about a sea monster boy in coastal Italy
Spelling variants
- Lucas
- Luc
- Lukas
- Loukas
Names with the same feeling
See Luca from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Luca mean?
- Italian form of Luke (and the related Lucas), from the Greek Loukas. The root is contested: 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy) or related to the Latin lux/lucis (light).
- What does Luca mean in Italian?
- In Italian, Luca means "From Lucania, or 'light'." The Gospel of Luke is one of the four New Testament gospels, making Lucas/Luke central to Christian tradition. Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian all use Luca or Lucas as the modern form. Pixar's 2021 film Luca, set in an Italian coastal town, gave the single-A spelling a US bump. Currently US top hundred for boys. The Italian Luca (no S) is distinct from the Spanish/English Lucas (with S); they're the same name in different mouths.
- How do you pronounce Luca?
- Luca is pronounced ˈlu.kə. Say it as LOO-kuh, with the stress on the "loo" syllable.
- How do you spell Luca?
- The standard spelling is Luca. Common spelling variants include Lucas, Luc, Lukas, Loukas.
- Is Luca a boy or girl name?
- Luca is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Luca?
- Luca ranked #14 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.