Luke: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Luke mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Greek: Light-giving; man from Lucania
Latin: The bright one; bringer of light
English: Bringer of light

Gender: Male

Syllables: 1

Pronunciation: The name Luke is pronounced look

The name Luke is of Greek and Latin origin, meaning "light-giving" or "the bright one." It is a name with classical and biblical roots, historically associated with Saint Luke, the patron saint of artists and doctors, who was one of the four evangelists and the author of the third Gospel in the New Testament. This name has long been popular in Christian cultures due to its significant religious affiliations and its short, impactful sound.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English: from a derivative of Lucas. This was (and is) the common vernacular form of the name, being the one by which the author of the fourth Gospel is known in English. Luke is also a habitational name for someone from Liège in Belgium (Dutch Luik).

North German (Lüke): from a short form of Lüdeke; Luedecke.

Famous people with this first name

Luke Perry

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Luke in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars series - The iconic Jedi Knight who battles the evil Galactic Empire.
Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls - The gruff yet endearing owner of Stars Hollow's diner and love interest of Lorelai Gilmore.
Luke Cage from Luke Cage - A superhero with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin, fighting crime in Harlem.
Luke Spencer from General Hospital - A core character from the popular American soap opera, known for his adventurous storyline.
Luke Castellan from Percy Jackson & the Olympians - A complex character who serves both as friend and foe to the protagonist, Percy Jackson.

Popularity of the Name Luke

According to data from the Social Security Administration, the name Luke has remained a popular choice among parents in the United States. While specific rankings can vary year by year, Luke has consistently been within the top 50 names for boys over the past several decades.

Luke originated as a short form of Lucas, which originated from the Greek name Loukas. The name quickly gained popularity due to a first-century Greek physician named Luke, who was also a friend of Saint Paul and author of the third Gospel of the New Testament. This man later became the saint of doctors and artists.

Aside from its Biblical association, the name Luke has been borne by various notable figures across different fields, including actors like Luke Wilson and Luke Hemsworth, contributing to its appeal and staying power in popular culture.

In fiction, Luke Skywalker, the protagonist of the Star Wars saga, is perhaps one of the most famous characters with this name, having a significant impact on its popularity following the release of the original films in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The character's influence on the name's popularity demonstrates the powerful effect of pop culture on naming trends.

Overall, the name Luke continues to be a favorite for its simplicity, historical depth, and the positive connotations associated with well-known bearers of the name.