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Lucas

/LOO-kəs/

Lucas is a boy name of Latin origin, meaning From Lucania; light.

  • GenderBoy
  • OriginLatin
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables2
  • US rank#8

What does Lucas mean?

From Lucania; light

Lucas is the Latin form of the Greek Loukas, which most likely meant "man from Lucania", a region of southern Italy. The popular gloss "light", from Latin lux, is an attractive folk etymology rather than the accepted derivation.

The story behind the name

Luke the Evangelist, traditionally a physician and companion of Paul, wrote the third gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He is the patron saint of doctors and of painters.

Lucas is the form used across most of Europe, while English preferred Luke for centuries. That flipped recently: Lucas overtook Luke in the English-speaking world in the 2000s and is now simultaneously a top-ten name in the United States, France, Belgium, Sweden and Brazil - one of the most successfully pan-European names of the era.

Notable people named Lucas

  • Luke the Evangelist
  • Lucas Cranach, painter
  • Lucas Vázquez, footballer

How popular is Lucas?

Popularity in the United States

Lucas has been given to 276,879 babies in the United States since 1881, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 146 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

06,51313,025188119502020
Babies named Lucas per year in the United States, 1881–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Lucas has been given to 181,651 babies in France since 1902, peaking in the 2000s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

04,6629,324190219622022
Babies named Lucas per year in France, 1902–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 58,041 people called Lucas living in Spain, with an average age of 14.7.

276,879 Babies named since 1881
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Luke, Lukas, Luca, Luc

Related names: Luke, Luca, Lucia, Lucian, Lucy

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Frequently asked questions about Lucas

What does the name Lucas mean?

Lucas means From Lucania; light. It is of Latin origin.

Is Lucas a boy's or a girl's name?

Lucas is most often given to boys.

How do you pronounce Lucas?

Lucas is pronounced LOO-kəs.

How popular is the name Lucas?

Lucas has been given to 276,879 babies in the United States since 1881, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Lucas?

Common variants include Luke, Lukas, Luca, Luc.