Luca first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Luca has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Luca

From Italian origin meaning "bright" or "bringer of light".

Popularity of Luca by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Luca is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Luca being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 7,959 male babies and 62 female babies born with the name Luca.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 62 baby girls were named Luca in 2024, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

YearMale CountFemale Count
20247,95962
20237,77087
20227,80380
20216,873116
20204,82291
20194,41794
20183,61293
20173,09094
20162,75481
20152,61569
20142,30268
20131,90176
20121,61664
20111,34061
20101,27558
20091,19972
20081,09758
20071,05648
200687235
200570742
200468548
200354435
200243032
200134219
20002979
19991287
19981159
1997820
1996870
1995650
1994620
1993650
1992440
1991380
1990320
1989360
1988386
1987348
1986130
1985240
1984190
1983240
1982200
1981320
1980130
1979190
1978190
1977110
1976260
1975160

The history of the first name Luca

The name Luca has its origins in the Latin language and culture, dating back to ancient Roman times. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "lucus," which means "grove" or "sacred wood." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with nature and spiritual significance in its early use.

One of the earliest recorded historical references to the name Luca can be found in the New Testament of the Bible. The Gospel of Luke, one of the four canonical gospels, is attributed to a man named Lucas or Luca, who was a physician and companion of the apostle Paul. While the exact date of his birth is unknown, scholars estimate that he lived in the first century AD.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, the name Luca gained popularity across Europe, particularly in Italy. One notable figure from this time was the Italian painter and architect Luca Signorelli, who was born in 1441 and died in 1523. He is renowned for his frescoes in the Basilica of San Brizio in Orvieto, which depict scenes from the Last Judgment.

In the realm of science, the Italian physicist and mathematician Luca Valerio (1552-1618) made significant contributions to the field of optics. He is best known for his work on the theory of refraction and the construction of lenses.

Another prominent figure bearing the name Luca was the Italian composer Luca Marenzio (1553-1599), who was a leading figure in the development of the madrigal, a type of secular vocal music composition.

In the world of literature, the Italian writer and philosopher Luca Giordano (1634-1705) was known for his philosophical dialogues and treatises on various subjects, including metaphysics and ethics.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Luca. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Rome, the name has transcended time and cultures, becoming a beloved and respected name across various regions and societies.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Luca was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Luca, please contact us.

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