Luke
Luke is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
From Lucania or light-giving.
Origin and history
Luke is derived from the Greek name Loukas, meaning 'from Lucania' or 'light-giving'. It has strong biblical roots as the traditional author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. The name remains consistently popular in the United States, appealing as both a classic and modern choice.
Popularity in the United States
323,020 babies in the United States have been named Luke since 1880. It ranks #108 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #33.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.8 %)
- TX (9 %)
- PA (5.1 %)
- NY (5 %)
- OH (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 442 |
| 1890-1900 | 402 |
| 1900-1910 | 498 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,343 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,699 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,269 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,298 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,308 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,071 |
| 1970-1980 | 10,283 |
| 1980-1990 | 27,044 |
| 1990-2000 | 44,434 |
| 2000-2010 | 90,506 |
| 2010-2019 | 93,274 |
| 2020-2029 | 44,149 |
Famous people named Luke
- Luke Bryan: singer, songwriter
- Luke Evans: actor, singer
- Luke Wilson: actor
Fun facts
- The name saw widespread pop-culture recognition globally due to Luke Skywalker, the main protagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy.
- Luke the Evangelist was historically noted as a physician, making the name traditionally linked with healing.