How to say it
LUKE
luk
Masculine
Luke
From Lucania, or 'light'
What it means
English form of the Greek Loukas (and Latin Lucas). Possibly 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy) or from the Latin lux/lucis (light).
Luke is the gospel writer Luke, traditionally identified as a physician and companion of Paul. The English Luke and the Latinate Lucas have lived as parallel forms for centuries. Star Wars (1977) and Luke Skywalker pinned the name to a generation of moviegoers; the films are still doing it for new generations. Currently US top thirty for boys. Luke is the English short form of Lucas in many families, but many parents now register Luke as the formal name.
How to spell Luke
The standard spelling is Luke. Common variants include Lucas, Luca, Lukas, Loukas, but Luke is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #28 in 2014, currently #33 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.
- Luke Skywalker Hero of the original Star Wars trilogy
- Saint Luke Physician, author of the third Gospel and Acts
- Cool Hand Luke 1967 Paul Newman film
Spelling variants
- Lucas
- Luca
- Lukas
- Loukas
Names with the same feeling
See Luke from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Luke mean?
- English form of the Greek Loukas (and Latin Lucas). Possibly 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy) or from the Latin lux/lucis (light).
- What does Luke mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Luke means "From Lucania, or 'light'." Luke is the gospel writer Luke, traditionally identified as a physician and companion of Paul. The English Luke and the Latinate Lucas have lived as parallel forms for centuries. Star Wars (1977) and Luke Skywalker pinned the name to a generation of moviegoers; the films are still doing it for new generations. Currently US top thirty for boys. Luke is the English short form of Lucas in many families, but many parents now register Luke as the formal name.
- Is Luke short for Lucas?
- Yes. Luke is a short form of Lucas, and it carries the same meaning, "From Lucania, or 'light'." These days many parents use Luke as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Luke?
- Luke is pronounced luk. Say it as LUKE, with the stress on the "luke" syllable.
- How do you spell Luke?
- The standard spelling is Luke. Common spelling variants include Lucas, Luca, Lukas, Loukas.
- Is Luke a boy or girl name?
- Luke is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Luke?
- Luke ranked #33 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.