Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Luke

Luke is an English colloquial form of Lucas (dating back to the 12th century and first rendered in Middle English). Lucas, in turn, is the Latin form of the Greek “Loukás” (Λουκᾶς) meaning “man from Lucania” (Lucania was an old district located in lower Italy and inhabited by the ancient Lucani tribe of Sabellians). The tribe either received their name from the Greek “lykos” (λυκος) meaning “wolf” because the animal was a guiding symbol of the tribe during their migrations; or else the name comes from the Latin “lucus” meaning “sacred grove”. In either case, Lucas became the medieval scholarly Latin form of the more colloquial Luke in reference to Luke the Evangelist, author of the New Testament’s third gospel said to be written around 60 A.D. Saint Luke was a contemporary and convert of Saint Paul, and the Gospel According to Luke focuses on the details of Jesus’ birth through his ministry, death and resurrection. His Feast Day is October 18 and the Roman Catholic Church recognizes Saint Luke as the patron saint of artists, students, physicians and surgeons (he himself was a physician). Lucas was often used in the Middle Ages as the Latin written form for the more idiomatic “Luke.” Luke continues to be a name of choice among English-speaking parents of baby boys. The name is currently ranked highest in Ireland followed by Northern Ireland. He also does quite well in the United States, England, Scotland, Australia and Canada.

All About the Baby Name – Luke

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME LUKE

The number Four personality is marked by stability and discipline. This is the personality that follows the rules and is conservative by nature.  They have an earth-bound energy that prefers to build things methodically on top of firm foundations; they don't cut corners. Fours take their time and don't like to be hurried. But the outcome of their endeavors is likely to result in some strong and useful structure, which makes them great engineers and inventors. Fours are anything but frivolous or controversial. This is a trustworthy, straight-forward personality that embodies dedication and organization. They are the backbone and anchor in their relationships, careers and communities. They are tidy, punctual, and full of integrity. Hard-work comes naturally to a Four and they are immensely reliable. This is the personality you can always count on.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME LUKE

Luke has remained a familiar baby boy’s name in America for well over a century and his popularity has always maintained a level of moderate success. However, the name really started to take off in the late 1970s following the release of the blockbuster film “Star Wars” (1977) which featured the courageous yet boyish central character, Luke Skywalker. Luke’s popularity did not wane as the decades persisted, and, in fact, increased. The name hit America’s Top 50 list at the turn of the 21st century in 2001 and today remains a favorite among American parents of baby boys. Historically in the United States, Luke has always taken first place against Lucas, but recently Lucas actually surpassed his more colloquial brother in popularity. Nonetheless, Luke is holding strong and remains a popular name in its own right. His strong one-syllable sound brings a bit more manliness to the Latin Lucas. Plus, many parents prefer these more casual, laid-back, one-syllable names for their boys (Jack, Jake, Zack, etc).

Quick Facts

ON LUKE

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

34

PRONUNCIATION:

LOUKE

SIMPLE MEANING:

Man from Lucania

Characteristics

OF LUKE

Dependable

Solid

Practical

Hard-working

Industrious

Studious

Conservative

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Luke

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME LUKE

Gabrielle is more commonly known as “Sister Luke”, the troubled, struggling nun in Kathryn Hulme’s 1956 novel The Nun’s Story, based upon the true story of a friend of Hulme. It was also a very popular movie adaptation in 1959, earning its star, Audrey Hepburn, an Academy Award nomination. As a young Belgian woman, Gabrielle becomes a nun in the order of The Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary in 1927, and is sent on a missionary tour of nursing in the Belgian Congo. Her faith is sorely tested, not only by the constrictions of the convent rule, but also by her growing partisanship on behalf of Belgium during the war. Ultimately, she leaves the convent, but not the Church, in a gripping denouement.

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Luke

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME LUKE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Luke


Popular Songs

ON LUKE

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Luke


Famous People

NAMED LUKE

Luke Perry (actor)
Luke Wilson (actor)

Children of Famous People

NAMED LUKE

Lance Armstrong;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME LUKE

Luke the Evangelist (also known as Saint Luke) was a 2nd century physician and Christian writer most known as the author of the third and longest Gospel which recounts the life of Jesus from birth through his Ascension. The focus of Luke’s Gospel is on the humanity of Jesus, and his compassion for the weak, downtrodden and poor. Two of the more famous parables from Luke’s Gospel are the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). St. Luke’s Feast Day is October 18th.