Luke in Chinese
Luke in Chinese is 卢克 (Lú Kè).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- light; from Lucania
Etymologically, Luke is Greek and is commonly glossed as "light; from Lucania". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Lucas.
3 ways to write Luke
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
卢克
Lú Kè
The standard transliteration of Luke: 卢 (lú, "black (classical); phonetic 'lu'"), 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 2 characters: 卢 lú + 克 kè. The tone contour is 2-4 (rising, falling).
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 卢
lú
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
black (classical); phonetic 'lu'
- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
明辉
Míng Huī
Inspired by "light; from Lucania": 明 (míng, "bright, clear") + 辉 (huī, "brilliance, splendor"), expressing light and brightness.
Why these characters?
Because Luke is linked to "light", the name leads with 明 (bright, clear); 辉 (brilliance, splendor) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 明
míng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
bright, clear
- 辉
huī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
brilliance, splendor
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
卢明
Lú Míng
卢 (lú, "black (classical); phonetic 'lu'") + 明 (míng, "bright, clear"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 卢 (lú), the same opening character as the transliteration 卢克, for the "luk" sound, and replaces the rest with 明 ("bright, clear") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 卢
lú
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
black (classical); phonetic 'lu'
- 明
míng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
bright, clear
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Luke
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Luke ranked 33 among names recorded for boys, with 44,149 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 261,584 boys named Luke since 1880, with the high point in 2014 (10,503 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #118 to #30 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2014
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 261,584
More About Luke in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Luke offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Luke, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Lucas in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Lucas in Chinese, Mason in Chinese, and Mark in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Cameron in Chinese, Jeffrey in Chinese, Evan in Chinese, and Juan in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Luke, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Luke to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Luke in Chinese characters?
卢克 (Lú Kè), or 盧克 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Luke written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 卢克 becomes 盧克; the changed characters are 卢→盧. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
How many strokes does 卢克 have?
12 strokes in simplified form and 23 in traditional; per character: 卢 5, 克 7.