Luke sits comfortably in the UK charts at #138 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Greek — Light-giving
📊
UK Rank 2024
#138
US Rank #34
About the Name Luke
Luke is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 29 places over five years. Its high point was #11 in 1997, and it now sits at #138. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 24 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
In terms of origin, Luke is rooted in Greek, where it means "Light-giving". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Luke is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #34, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Luke
Unlikely. With around 387 UK babies named Luke per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Luke in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Luke has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 29 places in the last five years. Its peak was #11 in 1997. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
The name Luke has Greek origins and means "Light-giving". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Luke include: Luke Norris (actor) — Luke Norris is an English actor best known for playing Dr Dwight Enys in Poldark.; Luke Egan — Luke Egan is an Australian professional surfer who competed on the Association of Surfing Professionals Men's World Tour.; Luke Thompson (actor) — Luke Thompson is an English actor..
Luke ranks #34 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
387
UK babies named Luke (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.2
In a school of 600
↓ 29 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Luke
Likely around 1 other Luke in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Luke
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
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