So you love the name Luke, but you aren't going to choose it. Maybe it doesn't go with your last name, maybe your partner nixed it, or maybe your sister-in-law stole that name before you got the chance — that witch. These 25 baby names if you like Luke serve as great alternatives if you love the name, but won’t be using it. Whatever your reason, you need to come up with some names that are similar to Luke without being Luke — and we've got you covered. If you fell in love with that moniker, you're sure to fall in love with at least one of these options, too.
The meaning and origin of the name Luke varies based on where you look it up. The name is Greek, according to Nameberry, and means "man from Lucania," but according to Baby Center, Luke is Latin, and a variation of the name Lucas meaning "light giving." So, clearly, it all kinda depends on what you read. It's a popular name, currently sitting in the top 30 on baby name charts, and there have been plenty of cool Lukes that've made the name what it is today. Luke Skywalker, Luke Wilson, Luke Bryan, Luke Duke... there's basically a Luke to admire no matter what you're into. Without further ado, here are some alternatives if you're totally smitten with Luke.
16
Blake
Super similar to Luke, this is an English name that means "fair-haired, dark," according to Nameberry. Regardless of the name's meaning and whether or not it corresponds with your baby's hair color, this is a perfect alternative if you like the sound of Luke but can't use it for whatever reason.
17
Grant
If you're looking for a one-syllable, masculine boy name similar to Luke, your wish is granted. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.) Grant is one of those names that isn't wild or out there, but you also don't hear it everyday. Fun fact: Grant means "large," according to Nameberry, and it was originally used as a nickname for a tall person. Whether your son is tall or short, this name is a good one.
18
Liam
The top baby name in the U.S. in 2017 and 2018, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, this name has exploded in popularity, but for good reason. It's such a sweet little moniker! If you really want an L-name but can't or won't use Luke, Liam is a wonderful alternative. Use it on its own, or use it as a nickname for William.
19
Luca
The Italian version of the name Luke is Luca, which means it is pretty much as close to Luke as you can get without actually being Luke. The name has steadily risen in popularity in the U.S. in recent years, currently ranked 106 among popular male baby names per the U.S. Social Security Administration.
20
Levi
Like the name Luke, Levi is a biblical name of Hebrew origin that means “joined, attached,” according to Nameberry. Hopefully any child bearing this name will grow up to love a good pair of blue jeans, but even if they don’t, Levi is still a solid name choice and perfect for parents who love the name Luke.
21
Ben
Just like Luke can be a standalone name or a shortened version of Lucas, Ben is a cute, chipper name all on its own, but can also be a nickname for the longer moniker Benjamin. The name itself means “son of” which makes it an ideal name for your bouncing baby boy.
22
Ryan
Fans of the name Luke who are looking for a similarly classic baby boy name can turn to the name Ryan. The name Ryan means “little king” and can actually be a unisex name if you happen to want a name in the same vein as Luke, but that could work for either a boy or a girl.
23
Joel
Joel is a name of Hebrew origin, which like Luke, appears in the Bible, according to Nameberry. Meaning “Jehovah is his God,” this name has strong religious roots. However, it also makes me think of music legend Billy Joel, so pop culture has your back with this name if you’re looking to pick a baby name with a strong musical connection.
24
Josh
The name Josh has a short and sweet appeal similar to Luke, but that’s definitely not where the similarities end. Both are shortened versions of longer names, have biblical ties, and are one syllable. The popularity of the name Joshua has fallen significantly in recent years, but it was still ranked 41 by the U.S. Social Security Administration in 2018.
25
Alex
Although this unisex name can truly work well for either a boy or a girl, fans of the name Luke for a baby boy can consider Alex as a strong alternative. The name Alex actually means “defending men” and features a strong L sound within the name similar to how Luke starts.