Lucas is a name of Greek origin that is often interpreted to mean ‘light’ or ‘illumination’. Derived from the Greek name Loukas, the name has come to convey a sense of enlightenment.
Lucas is the Latin version of Loukas, or the ‘bringer of light’, which shares a common root with the word lucere, meaning ‘to shine’. The name also means ‘man from Lucania’. The region of Lucania is located in Southern Italy and means ‘light or white’. No matter which origins you associate the name with, Lucas is a name strongly linked to light.
This ancient boy’s name is also found in the bible. Luke – a variation of the name Lucas – is thought to be one of the authors of the gospels. In Catholicism, Luke is considered to be the patron saint of creatives, artists, and doctors.
- Name Origin: Greek/Latin
- Name Meaning: light or illumination
- Pronunciation: LOO – kus
- Gender: Male
How Popular is the Name Lucas?
At the start of the 20th century, the Greek name was not particularly popular in the US. Ranking just inside the top 1000 boys’ names, Lucas was not a common choice. However, ever since 1993, the name has remained inside the top 100 and reached a peak position of number 8 in 2018.
According to Social Security Administration data, Lucas has ranked number 8 every year since 2018. In 2021, 11501 baby boys were given the name.
Feminine Versions of Lucas
- Luca
- Lucille
- Lucia
- Luka
Name Variations
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Luc | Light / Illumination | French |
| Luca | Bringer of light | Italian |
| Loukas | Light | Greek |
| Luka | Light | Slavic |
| Luke | Light-giving | Greek |
| Lukus | Brings light | Greek |
Other Greek Boys’ Names
| Name | Meaning |
| Nicholas | Victory of the people |
| Vassilis | Kingly |
| George | Farmer |
| Jason | Healer |
| Stephen | Crown |
| Thomas | Twin |
| Adonis | Handsome |
Alternative Boys Names Starting with ‘L’
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Labron | Brown haired | French |
| Layton | Meadow settlement | English |
| Leeroy | The king | French |
| Lenard | Lion strength | German |
| Lennox | With many elm trees | Scottish |
| Leroux | The red haired one | French |
| Jesse | Gift | Hebrew |
Famous People Named Lucas
- Lucas Till – American actor
- Lucas Cruikshank – American YouTuber, actor and comedian
- Lucas Hedges- American actor
- Lucas Cranach the Elder – German painter