How to say it
LOO · kus
ˈlu.kəs
Masculine
Lucas
From Lucania, or 'light'
What it means
Latin form of the Greek Loukas, the name of the gospel writer Luke. The root is contested: 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy) or related to lux/lucis (light).
Spanish, Portuguese, and most European languages use Lucas as their standard form. Spanish Lucas is widely used in Latin American Catholic communities and one of the more common Hispanic boys' names in the US. George Lucas (born 1944) gave the surname its own US cultural weight through Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Currently US top fifteen for boys. The English-specific Luke is the everyday short form for many Lucases.
How to spell Lucas
The standard spelling is Lucas. Common variants include Luke, Luca, Loukas, Lukas, but Lucas is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #8 in 2018, currently #10 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
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Luke is the natural short, though many Lucases are never shortened in adulthood.
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.
- George Lucas Filmmaker, creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones (Lucas is the surname)
- Saint Luke Author of the third Gospel, often called Lucas in Romance languages
Spelling variants
- Luke
- Luca
- Loukas
- Lukas
Names with the same feeling
See Lucas from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Lucas mean?
- Latin form of the Greek Loukas, the name of the gospel writer Luke. The root is contested: 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy) or related to lux/lucis (light).
- What does Lucas mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Lucas means "From Lucania, or 'light'." Spanish, Portuguese, and most European languages use Lucas as their standard form. Spanish Lucas is widely used in Latin American Catholic communities and one of the more common Hispanic boys' names in the US. George Lucas (born 1944) gave the surname its own US cultural weight through Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Currently US top fifteen for boys. The English-specific Luke is the everyday short form for many Lucases.
- How do you pronounce Lucas?
- Lucas is pronounced ˈlu.kəs. Say it as LOO-kus, with the stress on the "loo" syllable.
- How do you spell Lucas?
- The standard spelling is Lucas. Common spelling variants include Luke, Luca, Loukas, Lukas.
- Is Lucas a boy or girl name?
- Lucas is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Lucas?
- Lucas ranked #10 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.