Loukas is a Greek male given name of ancient origin. It is derived from the Greek word "loukos," which means "flax." In ancient Greece, flax was an important crop used for making linen and other textiles.
The name Loukas is believed to have been first used by early Christians in Greece. It is thought that they chose this name as a symbol of purity and simplicity, as the plant flax was considered sacred by many cultures in the region.
Loukas was also the name of one of Jesus' twelve apostles in the New Testament of the Bible. Saint Loukas is revered as the patron saint of physicians and painters, and his feast day is celebrated on October 18th.
Over time, the name Loukas has spread beyond Greece and can now be found throughout Europe and other parts of the world. It has also been adapted into different forms in various languages, such as Lukas in German, Luka in Croatian, and Lucas in Spanish and Portuguese.
Despite its widespread usage today, the name Loukas remains deeply rooted in Greek culture and history. It is often chosen by parents who want to honor their Greek heritage or give their child a strong, distinctive name with a rich cultural background.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Loukas in the United States from 1972 to 2023. Over this period of nearly five decades, a total of 588 babies were named Loukas.
The name's popularity has shown fluctuation over time. The earliest years recorded, 1972 and 1979, had only 5 births each. However, there was a notable increase in the late 1990s, with 10 births in 1998 and peaks of 24 births in 2009 and 33 births in both 2013 and 2014.
The most recent data available shows that the name Loukas continued to be popular in the early 2020s, with 41 births recorded in 2021 and 37 births in 2023. However, there was a slight decrease in popularity between these years, with only 26 births in 2022.
These statistics illustrate how the name Loukas has maintained steady popularity throughout recent decades, with notable peaks in the late 1990s and early 2010s. Despite some fluctuations, it remains a consistently chosen name for babies born in the United States.