name
Common
Luke
look
Luke (name) means a common male given name, ultimately from Greek, meaning roughly "from Lucania.". Example: “Luke asked if he could leave work early to pick up his daughter.”
name
1
A common male given name, ultimately from Greek, meaning roughly "from Lucania."
"Luke asked if he could leave work early to pick up his daughter."
2
Luke the Evangelist, the traditional author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the Christian Bible.
"The stained-glass window depicted Saint Luke writing his gospel."
3
The Gospel of Luke, the third of the four gospels in the New Testament.
"The parable of the Good Samaritan appears only in the Gospel of Luke."
How to use Luke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA widely used English male first name, also the name of one of the four Gospels.
Common pairings
the Gospel of Luke
Saint Luke
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_____ asked if he could leave work early to pick up his daughter.
Etymology
From Latin Lūcās, from Koine Greek Λουκᾶς (Loukâs).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Luke
See all rhymes for Luke →Frequently asked questions
What does “Luke” mean?
The word “Luke” means a common male given name, ultimately from Greek, meaning roughly "from Lucania.". In plain terms, a widely used English male first name, also the name of one of the four Gospels.
How do you pronounce “Luke”?
“Luke” is pronounced look (/luk/ in IPA).
How do you use “Luke” in a sentence?
Here is “Luke” used in a sentence: “Luke asked if he could leave work early to pick up his daughter.”
What part of speech is “Luke”?
“Luke” is a name.
Where does the word “Luke” come from?
The word “Luke” comes from Latin. From Latin Lūcās, from Koine Greek Λουκᾶς (Loukâs).
Is “Luke” a common word?
“Luke” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Luke” have?
“Luke” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common male given name, ultimately from Greek, meaning roughly "from Lucania.".
What does the name Luke mean?
Luke derives from the Greek name Loukas, generally understood to mean 'from Lucania,' a region of southern Italy. Over time it became strongly associated with Luke the Evangelist, the traditional author of the third Gospel, which helped carry the name throughout the Christian world and into everyday English use.
Is Luke a biblical name?
Yes. Luke is a well-known New Testament figure — a physician and companion of Paul, traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. This religious heritage is a major reason the name has stayed popular across English-speaking countries for many centuries.
What is the difference between Luke and Lucas?
Both come from the same Greek root, Loukas. Luke is the traditional English short form, while Lucas is the fuller Latin version used across many languages. They are essentially the same name, though parents often pick Lucas for a slightly more formal or international feel and Luke for something crisp and classic.
Is Luke a popular name?
Luke has been a steady favourite in the UK, US, and other English-speaking countries for decades. It appeals to parents wanting something short, familiar, and classic without sounding old-fashioned, and it carries both biblical and pop-culture recognition — most famously through the Star Wars character Luke Skywalker.
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