Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Luther
BoyGerman, Germanic· “famous army”
- Meaning
- famous army
- Origin
- German, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- LOO-thur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,464
- US babies 2025
- 122
- Best rank
- #63 (1887)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Luther
Luther is a German and Germanic name that means “famous army”.
Luther comes from a Germanic name made of elements meaning people or army and famous, often summarized as famous army. It became widely known through Martin Luther, the German theologian whose writings sparked the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century. In the United States the name took on new significance through Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader named in part after the reformer. Luther has a solid, serious sound with a vintage flavor that some parents now find appealing again. Lou and Luke are possible nicknames. The name carries weight and history while remaining easy to spell and say.
Popularity over time
Luther has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 115 different years. Its best national rank was #63 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 1922, when 1,477 were named Luther. In 2025, 122 babies were named Luther, and it ranked #1,464 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #123 in 1920, #237 in 1950, #610 in 1980, #1,268 in 2000, #1,934 in 2010, and #1,464 in 2025. Of the 66,986 US boys named Luther since records began, 20% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 9,762 babies. Since 2010, 1,673 more have been named Luther.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Horace, Maurice, Edmund, Virgil, and Lyle.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Luther ranked highest in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #600 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #617 | 8 |
| Missouri | #839 | 6 |
| Ohio | #909 | 9 |
| Washington | #1088 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Luther is usually pronounced LOO-thur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Luther
A few middle names that flow with Luther: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Luther
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Lists that include Luther
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Luther mean?
Luther is a German and Germanic name that means “famous army”.
What is the origin of the name Luther?
Luther has German and Germanic roots. Luther comes from a Germanic name made of elements meaning people or army and famous, often summarized as famous army.
Is Luther a popular name?
Not especially. Luther ranked #1,464 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Luther a boy or girl name?
Luther is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Luther?
Luther is usually pronounced LOO-thur. 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