"man from Lucania"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Luca
Pronunciation: [ l-OOK-uh ]
Boy Name
#23 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Italian sunshine with global appeal
Italian
American
German
Brazilian
Spanish
Elegant
Modern
Playful
Sophisticated
Earthy
Meaning & Origin
"light, illumination"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"light"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"from Lucania"
Origin: Latin/Greek
Language: English
The Story of Luca
Luca is the Italian form of Lucas/Luke, derived from the Latin Lucius, which comes from lux (light). Alternatively, it may derive from the Greek Loukas, referring to someone from Lucania, a region of southern Italy. Saint Luke the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, is the name's most significant bearer. Luca has been a beloved Italian name for centuries.
Luca became fashionable in the US and UK in the 2010s as Italian names like Marco, Nico, and Gianna broke into mainstream baby naming. The Pixar film Luca (2021), set in a sun-drenched Italian Riviera town, brought the name into American living rooms and boosted its popularity. It reached the top 30 in the US by 2021.
Luca is consistently one of the most popular names in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Brazil. In Italian culture it has the warm familiarity of a classic while feeling young and energetic. Saint Luke is the patron saint of artists and physicians.
Fun Facts
- Luca is consistently the most popular boy's name in Italy
- Pixar's Luca (2021), set in the Italian Riviera, introduced millions of American families to the name
- Saint Luke is the patron saint of artists and physicians — his symbol is the winged ox
Luca in Other Languages
Greek
Λουκάς
French
Luc
German
Luca
Italian
Luca
Spanish
Lucas
Brazilian Portuguese
Luca
Famous People Named Luca
L
Luka Modric
Athlete
1985
Croatian midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner, widely considered one of the greatest midfielders in football history
L
Luca Toni
Athlete
1977
Italian professional footballer and World Cup winner who played as a striker for clubs including Fiorentina and Bayern M...
Italian professional footballer and World Cup winner who played as a striker for clubs including Fiorentina and Bayern Munich
L
Luca Guadagnino
Artist
1971
Italian film director known for Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria, and Challengers
L
Luca Pacioli
Scientist
1447
Italian mathematician and Franciscan friar, collaborator with Leonardo da Vinci, father of accounting
L
Luca (Pixar character) Fictional
Other
Sea monster boy who dreams of the human world above the sea in Pixar's Luca (2021)
L
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #23
- Total SSA Count
- 7,959
- Cultural Origins
- Italian American German Brazilian Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Luca James
Luca Thomas
Luca Anthony
Luca Giovanni
Luca Marco
Luca Cole
Luca Reid
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Luca is also used as a girl name, ranked #2756.
View Luca as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Luca
What does the name Luca mean?
"man from Lucania" (from Latin). "light, illumination" (from Greek). "light" (from Latin). "from Lucania" (from Latin/Greek). Luca is the Italian form of Lucas/Luke, derived from the Latin Lucius, which comes from lux (light). Alternatively, it may derive from the Greek Loukas, referring to someone from Lucania, a region of southern Italy. Saint Luke the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, is the name's most significant bearer. Luca has been a beloved Italian name for centuries.
What is the origin of the name Luca?
Luca has Latin, Greek, Latin/Greek, Italian, American, German, Brazilian, and Spanish origins. In Latin, it means "man from Lucania". In Greek, it means "light, illumination". In Latin, it means "light". In Latin/Greek, it means "from Lucania".
Is Luca a boy or girl name?
Luca is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #23. As a girl name, it is ranked #2756. Luca is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Luca?
Luca is pronounced l-OOK-uh.
How popular is the name Luca?
Luca is currently ranked #23 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Luca?
Popular middle name pairings include Luca James, Luca Thomas, Luca Anthony, Luca Giovanni, Luca Marco, Luca Cole, and Luca Reid.
What are good sibling names for Luca?
Names that pair well with Luca as siblings include Mia, Gianna, Matteo, Sofia, Nico, Lucia, and Marco.
How many syllables does Luca have?
Luca has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Luca a common or rare name?
Luca is a very popular name, ranked #23 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Luca
Luca is a boy name with Italian, American, German, Brazilian, and Spanish origins . The name means "man from Lucania" in Latin .
Is Luca a boy or girl name? Luca is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #23 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,756. Luca is more commonly used as a boy name.
Luca is currently ranked #23 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Luca has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-OOK-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Luca include Lucas, Luciano, Lucian, Lucca, Lucien . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.