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.
These statistics indicate a significant and consistent increase in the number of babies named Lukas over time, from just 7 births in 1963 to over 1700 births annually by 2020. The name began gaining popularity in the late 1970s, with a marked increase seen after the mid-1980s. Between 2014 and 2021, the name Lukas was among the top five most popular boys' names each year, peaking at over 1750 births annually in 2016. However, there was a slight decline in popularity after 2021, with just under 1500 births recorded in both 2022 and 2023. Overall, these figures suggest that Lukas has been a consistently popular boys' name over the past six decades.