Lukas is a name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "loukas," which means "from Lucania." Lucania was an ancient region in southern Italy. The name Lukas is also associated with St. Luke, one of the Four Evangelists whose feast day is celebrated on October 18th.
In the Bible, Luke is mentioned as a companion of Saint Paul and as the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. He was believed to be a physician by profession, which may contribute to the name's association with healing and medicine in some cultures.
The name Lukas has been popular throughout history, particularly among Christians who venerate St. Luke. It has also been used by numerous notable figures throughout history, such as the composer Lukas Foss, the artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, and the basketball player Lukas Podolski.
Today, Lukas remains a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong historical background and a positive association with learning, artistry, and healing. Its meanings of "bringer of light" or "from Lucania" may appeal to those looking for a name with deeper symbolic significance as well.
The name Lukas has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In 1963, only 7 babies were named Lukas at birth, but this number began to rise steadily throughout the following years.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the name gained considerable traction, with a total of 147 births recorded in both 1982 and 1983. This trend continued into the mid-1980s, reaching an all-time high of 373 births in 1989.
The 1990s marked a period of sustained growth for the name Lukas. Between 1990 and 2000, there were at least 350 births per year, with peaks of 478 births in 1992 and 721 births in 1999.
The new millennium brought even more popularity to the name Lukas. From 2000 onwards, there were consistently over 700 births per year, reaching a remarkable high of 1758 births in 2016. This consistent growth can be seen throughout the 2010s, with no signs of slowing down – even during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, when there were still 1671 and 1473 births respectively.
In total, from 1963 to 2023, there have been over 41577 babies named Lukas in the United States. This demonstrates a striking increase in popularity for this name, reflecting a lasting appeal across generations.