Luka

Though traditionally masculine, Luka is today a gender-neutral name of Latin and Greek origin. Stemming from the Latin Lucas and an alternative to Lukas, Luca, and Luke, Luka derives from the Greek Loukas and means "from Lucania." Referring to a region in Southern Italy, this name has increased in popularity all over the world with its dreamy sense of place. Some suggest Luka is related to the Latin word lux, adding "light" to its repertoire. Luka is also a Hawaiian girl name that's a form of the Hebrew Ruth, which aptly means "female friend" for its feminine side.

With its original spelling and recent gender-neutral usage, Luka brings new energy to an old family favorite. You can also give your kiddo this name to honor your cultural heritage or remember a beautiful vacation destination. There's hot debate over on The Bump forum on whether Luka and Luca are exclusively masculine in the mainstream, or leave room for feminine usage. The Bump member RunningMamaH says: "It reminds me of an Italian man's name. BUT I can see people thinking it is a girl's name because of the a on the end."

Fun Facts About the Name Luka

• Luka vs Luca: Despite essentially being the same name of the same origin, Luka and Luca hold separate cultural ties. The c-spelling was mainly used in romance languages like Italian, while the k-spelling was traditionally favored in Slavic and Germanic languages.
• Luka is a longstanding classic in South-Eastern Europe: While Luka is considered fresh and modern in the US, it's an enduring favorite and ranks as the #1 overall most popular boys' name in Croatia for decades. Luka also has steady popularity in Slovenia and Serbia.
• Luka's universal appeal: Luka is traditionally a masculine name, but is no stranger to the trend of parents choosing a boy name for girls. Its Hawaiian origin solidifies its gender fluidity.