Luke Name Meaning

​Wendy Wisner
·4 min read

Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Luke.

Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott

If you're looking for a short, classic name that evokes strength, wisdom, and positive energy, Luke could be the perfect choice for your baby.

Luke is an English form of the Latin Lucas, from the Greek name Loukas meaning "from Lucania," referring to the region in southern Italy. It is also believed to mean "light-giving." Learn more about the origin, meaning, and popularity of the name Luke.



  • Origin: The name Luke is of Latin and Greek origins.

  • Gender: Luke is traditionally the masculine form of the name. Lucy and Lucia are available as feminine variations.

  • Pronunciation: LOO-k (rhymes with “duke”)





Editor's Note

Although baby names are often separated by gender, Parents believes that sex need not play any role in your name selection process. It’s important to select the name that you feel is best suited for your new baby.



How Popular Is the Name Luke?

The name Luke has been a top 500 name for boys in the US since 1955, but it got a bump in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This is perhaps because of the 1977 release of the first Star Wars film, featuring Luke Skywalker as its central character. The name Luke may also have gained popularity in the 1980s due to the soap opera General Hospital, which featured the well-liked characters Luke and Laura Spencer.

Luke ranked #97 in the US in 1980, breaking into the top 100 for the first time, but it hovered in that area for another decade. The name began seriously climbing in popularity in the 1990s, ranking in the top 50 in 2001. In 2023, Luke was the #31 name for boys in America.

Related: 50 Mythological Baby Names

Name Variations

As a biblical name, Luke has an equivalent in virtually every known language. These include:

The names Lucas and Lukas are also popular variant forms of Luke.

Nicknames for Luke

Since Luke is already a short name, it doesn't always inspire nicknames. However, some people named Luke go by Lou or Lukie. Luke is sometimes used as a nickname for Lucius or Luther.

Similar Names

Other names starting with "L" include:

  • Lane

  • Langston

  • Larry

  • Lawrence

  • Leon

  • Leonardo

  • Liam

  • Lincoln

  • Linus

  • Lionel

  • Louis

  • Lyle

Other boy names from the New Testament include:

  • Andrew

  • Bartholomew

  • John

  • Mark

  • Matthew

  • Paul

  • Peter

  • Philip

  • Thomas

Suggested Sibling Names

Luke may pair well with the following names:

  • Alex

  • Asher

  • Benjamin

  • Dylan

  • Henry

  • Julian

  • Hannah

  • Laura

  • Marie

  • Nora

  • Riley

  • Simone

  • Stella

  • Theo

  • Vivian

  • Walter

  • Zoe

Famous People Named Luke

There have been many historical figures, actors, singers, athletes, and other celebrities named Luke throughout history.

  • Lucius “Luke” Appling (1907–1991), Baseball Hall of Famer who played shortstop for the Chicago White Sox

  • Luke Askew (1932–2012), American actor known for his role in the film Easy Rider

  • Luke Babbitt, former NBA player who played for the Miami Heat

  • Luke Burbank, American radio host and host of the Seattle-based podcast Too Beautiful to Live

  • Luke Combs, American country music singer-songwriter

  • Luke Donald, English professional golfer who was formerly the top golf player in the world

  • Luke Farrell, American baseball player known as a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins

  • Luke Gazdic, Canadian former professional ice hockey winger

  • Luke Goss, English actor and musician, formerly drummer for the 1980s pop band Bros

  • Luke Grimes, American actor known for his roles in the film American Sniper and the Fifty Shades film series

  • Luke Hemmings, Australian singer-songwriter and musician, known as the lead vocalist for the Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer

  • Luke Hemsworth, Australian actor known for his role in the HBO series Westworld

  • Luke James, Grammy-nominated R&B singer and songwriter

  • Luke Kelly (1940–1984), Irish singer and folk musician known for his distinctive singing style and strong stances on social issues

  • Luke Kuechly, American football player and former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

  • Lucas Patrick McCown, former NFL quarterback who played for several teams including the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints

  • Luke Perry (1966–2019), American actor known for his roles in the TV series Beverly Hills 90210 and Riverdale

  • Luke Shaw, English footballer who plays for Manchester United

  • Luke Wilson, American actor known for his roles in such films as Legally Blonde, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Idiocracy



More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:



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Read the original article on Parents.