Luke is a popular male given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "lux", which means light. In the New Testament of the Bible, Luke was one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles and also the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
The name Luke has been used throughout history by various individuals who have made significant contributions to society. One notable figure is Luke Howard, an English chemist and meteorologist who coined the terms "troposphere" and "stratosphere". Another famous Luke is Sir Luke Fildes, a British painter known for his works during the Victorian era.
The name Luke has also gained popularity in popular culture, particularly in films and literature. In the Star Wars franchise, Luke Skywalker is one of the main characters and heroes of the story. Additionally, the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger features a character named Holden Caulfield who refers to himself as "Leland B. Luke" on certain occasions.
Overall, the name Luke has a rich history and cultural significance that spans across various periods and fields of study. It is a strong and distinctive name that has stood the test of time and continues to be popular among parents today.
The name Luke has been quite popular in the United States over the past century and a half. In 1880, there were 43 babies named Luke, with the number fluctuating between 38 and 70 throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
However, starting from the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Luke began to increase significantly. In 1950, there were 170 births with the name Luke, which rose to 3111 in 1980, marking a significant increase in popularity.
The peak of popularity for the name Luke came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with over 10,000 babies named Luke each year between 2000 and 2005. The highest number of births recorded for the name Luke was in 2000, with 7148 newborn boys given this name.
Although the popularity of the name Luke has decreased slightly in recent years, it remains a popular choice among parents. In 2020 and 2021, there were still over 7000 births each year for babies named Luke. Overall, since 1880, there have been a total of 308925 babies named Luke born in the United States.