Luke

Luke is a traditionally masculine name that's most notable from the Bible; Saint Luke was the disciple who wrote the third Gospel in the New Testament. He's also the patron saint of artists and doctors (a winning combo). The name Luke means "bright, white, light-giving." It comes from the Italian Luciana, which was the name of a geographical district in ancient Italy.

Luke has long been a popular name for boys and it remains so: Currently, Luke is the 43rd most popular pick in the U.S. and the 21st most popular in the U.K. (England and Wales, specifically). It began rising in popularity in the 1970s and saw a couple of peaks circa 2006/2007, and again in 2014. Nowadays it's on the decline again but still quite popular.

The most famous Luke, of course, is Luke Skywalker from the "Star Wars" films. Other fictional favorites include Luke Cage from the Marvel universe and Luke Danes from "Gilmore Girls." Luke Perry and Luke Wilson are notable actor Lukes in Hollywood, and Luke Combs and Luke Bryan are country singers.

Admirers of the name may also like variants Lucas, Luka, Luca, Lucius, Luc, Lukas, Lukasz, or even Loki. More traditionally feminine versions include Lucy and Lucinda, although Luc and Luca work well for any gender. Other short, Biblical boys' names you may want to try include Noah, John, Mark, James, Joel, Sam, Jonah, and Levi.

Luke in quotes:

"No one's ever really gone." — Luke Skywalker

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." — the Gospel of Luke