How to say it
LU · ka
ˈlu.kə
Masculine
Luka
From Lucania, or 'light'
What it means
Slavic and Eastern European form of Luke, from Latin Lucas. Same root as Luca (Italian) and Luke (English); the K spelling marks the Slavic line (Russian, Serbian, Croatian).
Luka is the Slavic form of the Latin Lucas (and thus the same as Luke and Luca), used in Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, and other Slavic Orthodox traditions. The same New Testament gospel writer is the saint in all of them. Luka Modrić, the Croatian footballer, is the strongest modern English-language anchor. The K spelling distinguishes it from the Italian Luca; both are pronounced the same in English. It entered the US top 500 in 2018. No further nickname needed.
How to spell Luka
The standard spelling is Luka. Common variants include Luca, Lucas, Loukas, but Luka is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #85 in 2025, currently #85 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
- Pronunciation
LOO-kah, two syllables. Same sound as the Italian Luca; the K spelling marks the Slavic line (Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian).
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.
- Luka Modrić Croatian footballer, 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, Real Madrid midfielder
- Luka Dončić Slovenian basketball player, NBA superstar with the Dallas Mavericks
Spelling variants
- Luca
- Lucas
- Loukas
Names with the same feeling
See Luka from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Luka mean?
- Slavic and Eastern European form of Luke, from Latin Lucas. Same root as Luca (Italian) and Luke (English); the K spelling marks the Slavic line (Russian, Serbian, Croatian).
- What does Luka mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Luka means "From Lucania, or 'light'." Luka is the Slavic form of the Latin Lucas (and thus the same as Luke and Luca), used in Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, and other Slavic Orthodox traditions. The same New Testament gospel writer is the saint in all of them. Luka Modrić, the Croatian footballer, is the strongest modern English-language anchor. The K spelling distinguishes it from the Italian Luca; both are pronounced the same in English. It entered the US top 500 in 2018. No further nickname needed.
- How do you pronounce Luka?
- Luka is pronounced ˈlu.kə. Say it as LU-ka, with the stress on the "lu" syllable.
- How do you spell Luka?
- The standard spelling is Luka. Common spelling variants include Luca, Lucas, Loukas.
- Is Luka a boy or girl name?
- Luka is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Luka?
- Luka ranked #85 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.