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Home › Baby Names Directory › Luke

Luke

♀ Girl

Pronounced LOOK /ˈluːk/High

Meaning: From Latin Lucas / Greek Loukas, 'man from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy), often linked in feeling to lux, 'light'. It is overwhelmingly a boys' name; used here for a girl, we note the strong boy lean.Medium

In 30 seconds: A one-beat classic: Luke means 'from Lucania,' with a 'light' feel (said 'LOOK'). Strongly a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumGreek, Latin
MeaningFrom Latin Lucas / Greek Loukas, 'man from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy), often linked in feeling to lux, 'light'. It is overwhelmingly a boys' name; used here for a girl, we note the strong boy lean.
U.S. rank (2024)#12883 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 556

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419702024

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

Luke descends from Latin Lucas and Greek Loukas, 'from Lucania,' a region of southern Italy. Carried by the evangelist Luke, it has been a steady boys' name for centuries. As a girl's name it is very rare and reads as a bold cross-sex choice; we note the strong boy lean. Said 'LOOK.'

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against far heavier boys' use. Short, classic, and boy-leaning.

Did you know? Luke comes from Greek Loukas, 'man from Lucania,' and is tied by association to lux, 'light.' Famous as a Gospel writer, it is overwhelmingly a boys' name; used here for a girl, we note the strong boy lean.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Luke — Greek Loukas 'from Lucania'; strongly boy-leaning

Variations

LucasLucLuka

Nicknames

LuLukie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Luke…

Luca— a like short cousin from the same root
Lux— a like one-syllable 'light'-tied word
Jude— a like crisp, unisex-leaning short name
Lucy— the girl-side relative in the Luc- family

Explore names like Luke

By themeclassicshortcross-sexunisex-lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Luke mean?

Luke means 'man from Lucania,' from Greek Loukas, and is linked in feeling to lux, 'light.'

How do you pronounce Luke?

It's said LOOK /ˈluːk/ — one syllable.

Is Luke a boy or girl name?

Luke is overwhelmingly a boys' name; used here for a girl, we note the strong boy lean.

How popular is Luke?

Luke is a very popular boys' name and rare for girls in the U.S.

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