Luka

♂ Boy

Pronounced LOO-kuh /ˈluː.kə/High

Meaning: Light; or man from Lucania (southern Italy) — Slavic and Italian form of Luke/Lucas, from Latin Lucius or Greek LoukasHigh

In 30 seconds: A sleek Slavic and Italian form of Luke, meaning 'light' or 'from Lucania.' Luka has a clean, cosmopolitan appeal that has been pushing it up U.S. boys' name charts.

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Origin HighGreek, Latin

MeaningLight; or man from Lucania (southern Italy) — Slavic and Italian form of Luke/Lucas, from Latin Lucius or Greek Loukas

U.S. rank (2025)#85 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births3,873 boys (0.23% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 28,940

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Luka is the Slavic (Croatian, Serbian, Russian) and Italian form of Luke, from the Greek Loukas and Latin Lucas. The name may refer to the region of Lucania in southern Italy or derive from a Latin root meaning 'light.'

Popular across Slavic countries and Italy, Luka entered the international mainstream in the 21st century through sports celebrities and the name's clean, modern feel. It rose into the U.S. top 200 boys' names.

Did you know? Luka Modrić (born 1985), Croatian football star and Ballon d'Or winner, has given the name international sports-world visibility.

Variations

LucaLucasLukeLukasz

Nicknames

Luke

Famous Bearers

★Luka Modrić (1985–)
Croatian professional footballer, Ballon d'Or winner (2018), widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation.

If you like Luka…

Luca— closely related spelling variant with the same Italian/Mediterranean warmth

Enzo— crisp Italian two-syllable name with the same continental cool

Milo— friendly vintage two-syllable name with the same easy Mediterranean feel

Theo— short classical name with the same modern warmth and global appeal

Explore names like Luka

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Luka mean?

Luka is a Slavic and Italian form of Luke, meaning 'light' or 'man from Lucania,' a region in southern Italy.

How do you pronounce Luka?

It is said LOO-kuh /ˈluː.kə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Luka a boy or girl name?

Luka is used predominantly as a boy's name.

How popular is Luka?

Luka has been rising in the U.S. and is now among the top 200 boys' names.