Luke

Luke is a cool-yet-strong New Testament name, with a relaxed cowboy feel, which has been on the rise since the advent of Luke Skywalker.

The most famous bearer of the name is the first-century Greek physician, evangelist, and friend of Saint Paul, the author of the third Gospel, who was also supposed to have been a portrait painter. He thus became the patron saint of doctors and artists. Later Lukes of less note have been Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," Cool Hand Luke, half of the classic soap opera duo of Luke and Laura, contemporary actors Luke Wilson and Luke Perry, and a number of star athletes.

Luke is currently in the U.S. Top 40, and is even more popular elsewhere: it's Number 9 in Ireland, 33 in Australia and 38 in England.

Two attractive foreign forms of the name are the Greek Lucas and the French Luc.