Luma

♀ Girl

Pronounced LOO-muh /ˈluː.mə/High

Meaning: Luma is used in Arabic as a girl's name, connected to lama, a word for a dark shading of the lips considered beautiful. In English it also reads as a light-adjacent coinage (Latin lumen, 'light'). Which route a family intends is not determinable from the name alone; routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Short and luminous: Luma is an Arabic girls' name and, in English, a light-adjacent pick (said 'LOO-muh'). Routes uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, Arabic

MeaningLuma is used in Arabic as a girl's name, connected to lama, a word for a dark shading of the lips considered beautiful. In English it also reads as a light-adjacent coinage (Latin lumen, 'light'). Which route a family intends is not determinable from the name alone; routes uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#16669 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 216

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

Luma has more than one life. In Arabic it is an established girls' name, and in English it reads as a bright, light-adjacent coinage next to Latin lumen. Neither route is certain for any given family, and we note that honestly. Compact and modern in sound (said 'LOO-muh').

In the U.S. it appears only very rarely for girls and is newly emerging. Short, luminous, and clean.

Did you know? In English Luma sits right beside lumen and luminous; in Arabic it belongs to an older tradition entirely. Two routes for one small name, which we note.

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Luma — Arabic girls' name; separately a Latin lumen echo in English; routes uncertain

Variations

LumiaLunaLumi

Nicknames

LuLuluMa

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Luma…

Luna— the closest short, celestial cousin

Lumi— a like light-rooted name

Lila— a similar brief, soft pick

Nova— another compact modern favorite

Explore names like Luma

By themeuncertain arabic short luminous

By meaningLight Beauty

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Luma mean?

Luma is an established Arabic girls' name and also reads in English as a light-adjacent coinage. Routes uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Luma?

It's said LOO-muh /ˈluː.mə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Luma a boy or girl name?

Luma is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Luma?

Luma is very rare and newly emerging for girls in the U.S.