Boy New Testament Known
Luke
luminous; white
Λουκᾶς Loukas
Luke (Greek: Λουκᾶς, Loukas) means “luminous; white”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 5 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 6,957 children in the United States, ranking 33. Use is falling away. Around 323,585 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Apphia.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Luke
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 5 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Apostolic
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Luke | rank 33 · 6,957 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Argentina | LUCAS | 1,131 registrations | Births in year |
| Brazil | LUCAS | 1,127,310 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | LUCAS | 66,093 bearers · mean age 19.8 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Lucas | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 6,957 | Falling |
| All-time total | 323,585 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 10,536 in 2014 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Corinthians 13:13 |
| Last appears | Philemon 1:24 |
| Cross-references | 134 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Demas co-occurrence Appears with Demas in Philemon 1.
- John co-occurrence Appears with John in Philemon 1.
- Mark co-occurrence Appears with Mark in Philemon 1.
- Aristarchus co-occurrence Appears with Aristarchus in Philemon 1.
- Titus co-occurrence Appears with Titus in 2 Corinthians 13.
- Archippus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Archippus.
- Epaphras co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Epaphras.
- Apphia co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Apphia.
Origin & meaning
Λουκᾶς, -ᾶ, ὁ
(prob. an abbreviation of Λουκανός; see Lft., Col., 240; ICC, Lk., xviii; Bl., § 29; accusative to Ramsay, Exp., Dec., 1912, pp. 502 ff., a by-form of Λούκιος, from Lat. Lucius),
Luke: Lk, tit., Col.4:14, 2Ti.4:11, Phm 24.†
(AS)
Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, was the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.
The biblical story
Luke was a physician (Col.4.14) and a close companion of the apostle Paul (2Ti.4.11; Phm.1.24). He is best known as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Although not mentioned by name in these books, early church tradition unanimously attributes them to Luke. His writings suggest that he was well-educated and had a keen eye for historical detail. Luke accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys, as evidenced by the "we" passages in Acts (Act.16.10-17; 20.5-21.18; 27.1-28.16). He remained with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome (2Ti.4.11). In Paul's letters, Luke is described as a beloved friend and fellow worker in the gospel (Col.4.14; Phm.1.24). His medical background may have been helpful during Paul's travels and ministry. Luke's Gospel emphasizes the humanity of Jesus, His compassion for the marginalized, and the universal scope of His message. The Book of Acts records the growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.
Key verses
Luke appears in 5 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
All the saints salute you.
2 Corinthians 13:13 -
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
2 Corinthians 13:14 -
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Colossians 4:14 -
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11 -
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Philemon 1:24
Show all 5 references
2 Corinthians (2)
- 2 Corinthians 13:13
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
Colossians (1)
- Colossians 4:14
2 Timothy (1)
- 2 Timothy 4:11
Philemon (1)
- Philemon 1:24
Name variants & nicknames
- Lucas — Latin form (also Spanish & Portuguese)
- Loukas — Greek form