Lukas

Lukas is a masculine given name used in many European languages. It is a variant of Lucas and Luke, derived from the Latin name Lucas, which in turn comes from the Greek Loukas, a demonym meaning "from Lucania," an ancient region in southern Italy. The name became common in Christian communities through Luke the Evangelist, one of the authors of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, helping spread the name's use across the Western world.

Spelling and variants: The form Lukas is common in German-speaking countries and in several Nordic and Slavic languages. Other widespread variants include Lucas (used in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and others), Lukáš (Czech), Łukasz (Polish), and Luka (used in several South Slavic languages). While Luke is the standard English form, Lucas and its variants appear in many places and cultures with different orthographies and pronunciations.

Usage and reception: Lukas is a traditional name with broad usage in Europe and diasporas. It is sometimes chosen for its classic, timeless sound and religious associations; the variant chosen often reflects the family’s linguistic background.

Notable people: Notable individuals named Lukas include Lukas Podolski (born 1985), German footballer; Lukas Forchhammer (born 1988), Danish singer and frontman of the band Lukas Graham.