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Boy name · Greek

Luke

Name meaning, origin and popularity

: man from Lucania

Luke is a boy's name that comes from Greek and means "man from Lucania". It is used in English and Irish.

Meaning
Man from Lucania
Origin
Greek
Gender
Boy
US rank
#33 in 2025

Meaning and origin of Luke

As a boy's name, Luke comes from Greek and means "man from Lucania". It is used in English and Irish.

Luke is also a surname: the 2,036th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 17,362 people. See the most common last names.

Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names

Luke on Nomezo lists

What our editors wrote about Luke on 5 lists.

  • “Bryan and Combs keep it at the top of the charts”

    From Redneck names for boys, country music inspired boy names

  • “Man from Lucania; Greek. Physician, traditionally the writer of the third Gospel”

    From Biblical names, names from the Gospels and Acts

  • “Man from Lucania; Greek. Bright and friendly”

    From Boy middle names, one-syllable boy middle names

  • “Man from Lucania; Greek. A gospel writer and physician”

    From Classic boy names, classic biblical boy names

  • “Man from Lucania; Greek, the Gospel writer and physician”

    From Cute boy names, short and cute boy names

How popular is Luke?

US rank in 2025
#33
6,948 babies, 4,068 per million boys
Best rank
#28 in 2014
10,523 babies that year
Babies since 1880
At least 323,020
Years with under 5 are not listed
1880s1900s1920s1940s1960s1980s2000s2020s
Babies per million US boys, by decade (the 2020s so far, to 2025). Highest in the 2010s, at 4,961 per million.
Babies named Luke per million US boys, by decade; highest in the 2010s
1880s404 per million
1890s352 per million
1900s367 per million
1910s201 per million
1920s154 per million
1930s120 per million
1940s87 per million
1950s114 per million
1960s211 per million
1970s623 per million
1980s1,465 per million
1990s2,281 per million
2000s4,534 per million
2010s4,961 per million
2020s4,260 per million
US rank by year
Year2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Rank#29#30#30#32#31#32#34#31#34#33

Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.

Other forms of Luke

The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.

  • LoukasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • LucaMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • LucasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • LukaForm of Lucas, probably from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • LukasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)

Names spelled like Luke

One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.

  • LuisFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)
  • LyleIsland (Old French, boy)
  • LaneA narrow path (English, unisex)
  • LeeClearing, meadow (Old English, unisex)
  • LikoA leaf bud (Hawaiian, boy)
  • LopeWolf (Latin, boy)
  • LouieFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)
  • LuizFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)
  • LupoWolf (Latin, boy)

Names with a similar meaning

  • GianlucaGod is gracious and man from Lucania (Hebrew and Greek, boy)
  • Jean-LucGod is gracious, plus from Lucania (Hebrew and Greek, boy)
  • ŁukaszFrom Lucania (Greek, boy)

Middle names for Luke

Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.

  • BenedictBlessed one (Latin, boy)
  • ConradBold counsel (Germanic, boy)
  • DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
  • GraysonSon of the steward (English, boy)
  • HowellEminent, conspicuous (Welsh, boy)
  • MicahWho is like Yahweh? (Hebrew, boy)
  • MitchellWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
  • ReubenBehold, a son (Hebrew, boy)

More boy names from Greek

  • AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
  • ChristianFollower of Christ (Greek, boy)
  • LeonA lion (Greek, boy)
  • HectorHolding fast (Greek, boy)
  • TheoGift of God (Greek, boy)
  • AlexisHelper, defender (Greek, boy)
  • PeterRock, stone (Greek, boy)
  • SebastianMan of sebaste, venerable (Greek, boy)
  • AlexDefender, protector (Greek, unisex)
  • AndreasManly, brave (Greek, boy)

Luke: common questions

What does the name Luke mean?

Luke comes from Greek and means "man from Lucania".

Is Luke a boy or girl name?

Luke is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 9 girls and 6,948 boys in the US were named Luke, according to Social Security Administration data.

Where does the name Luke come from?

Luke comes from Greek and means "man from Lucania". Today it is used in English and Irish.

How popular is the name Luke?

Luke ranked #33 in the US in 2025, with 6,948 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

What are other forms of Luke?

Forms of Luke with the same meaning and origin include Loukas (Greek), Luca (English), Lucas (English), Luka (English) and Lukas (German).

What middle names go with Luke?

Middle names that flow well with Luke include Benedict, Conrad, David, Grayson and Howell. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.