Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lua
GirlPortuguese, Latin· “moon”
- Meaning
- moon
- Origin
- Portuguese, Latin
- Pronunciation
- LOO-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,090
- US babies 2025
- 90
- Best rank
- #1,786 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Lua
Lua is a Portuguese and Latin name that means “moon”.
Lua is the Portuguese word for moon, from the Latin luna, and it is used as a girl's name in Brazil and Portugal. In ancient Roman religion, Lua was also a minor goddess linked with Saturn, to whom captured weapons were offered, though that figure is little known today. In Hawaiian, lua is a different word with other meanings, so the moon sense comes from Portuguese. It is said LOO-uh. The name is very short, with the soft feel of Luna and Lia, and it suits families who want a simple celestial name with a Lusophone touch.
Popularity over time
Lua first appears in US Social Security records in 1910. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,786 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 114 babies. In 2025, 90 babies were named Lua, and it ranked #2,090 nationally. That is 275% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #9,794 in 1980, #14,237 in 2000, #6,797 in 2010, and #2,090 in 2025. Of the 1,089 US girls named Lua since records began, 56% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 384 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Leen, Amaira, Elif, Lucianna, and Nahomi.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lua ranked highest in New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #900 | 8 |
| Florida | #1217 | 12 |
| Texas | #1586 | 15 |
| California | #1901 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lua is usually pronounced LOO-uh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with L and ends in “-ua”.
Middle names for Lua
A few middle names that flow with Lua: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lua
Similar names
Luna Girl
LOO-nuh
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MY-uh
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AIR-uh
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Sidra Girl
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“of the stars” · Latin
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Vesper Girl
VEHS-pur
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Stella Girl
STEL-uh
“star” · Latin
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Aurora Girl
uh-ROR-uh
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Nova Girl
NOH-vuh
“new” · Latin
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Celeste Girl
suh-LEHST
“heavenly” · Latin
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Lists that include Lua
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lua mean?
Lua is a Portuguese and Latin name that means “moon”.
What is the origin of the name Lua?
Lua has Portuguese and Latin roots. Lua is the Portuguese word for moon, from the Latin luna, and it is used as a girl's name in Brazil and Portugal.
Is Lua a popular name?
Not especially. Lua ranked #2,090 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lua a boy or girl name?
Lua is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lua?
Lua is usually pronounced LOO-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings