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Luther Boy

Popularity: #805 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LOO-thur /ˈluːθər/

Origin: German; Latin

Meaning: German: army people; Latin: light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Luther has its roots in the Germanic elements "hlud," meaning "fame," and "heri," meaning "army." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "famous warrior." The name was introduced into English through the influence of the Protestant Reformation, particularly associated with Martin Luther, a seminal figure in 16th-century Christianity. Luther's translation of the Bible into German and his role in challenging the Catholic Church's practices significantly impacted religious thought and practice in Europe, leading to the establishment of Protestantism.

Historically, Martin Luther (1483–1546) is the most notable bearer of the name. His Ninety-Five Theses, published in 1517, sparked widespread theological debate and ultimately contributed to the Protestant Reformation.

Luther's work not only transformed religious landscapes but also influenced the development of the German language through his translation of the Bible, which made the scriptures accessible to the common people. The name gained further prominence in various cultural contexts, particularly among Protestant communities, as a symbol of reform and religious conviction.

Culturally, the name Luther carries connotations of strength, resilience, and a commitment to one's beliefs. It has been associated with various historical figures beyond Martin Luther, including Luther Burbank, an influential American botanist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who contributed significantly to agricultural science.

The name's enduring legacy is reflected in its symbolic association with reformative movements and the quest for religious and personal integrity, making it a name of historical significance.

Famous people named Luther

Luther Vandross is a singer and songwriter best known for Never Too Much, Here and Now, and Dance with My Father.
Luther Burbank is a horticulturist best known for developing new plant varieties, including the Burbank potato and the Shasta daisy.
Luther Campbell is a rapper and music producer best known for his work with 2 Live Crew and his advocacy for First Amendment rights in music.

Fictional characters named Luther

Luther Stickell is a fictional character from the Mission: Impossible film series. He is a skilled field agent and a key member of the IMF team, known for his technical expertise and loyalty.

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U.S. Historical Usage

The name Luther was first seen in the United States in 1880. Luther has ranked as high as #276 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. In the past 5 years the name Luther has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Luther (2024)

State Births Share
TX 10
20%
CA 9
18%
OH 7
14%
NY 6
12%
MI 6
12%
MN 6
12%
GA 5
10%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880260
1881249
1882284
1883229
1884273
1885259
1886253
1887267
1888275
1889270
1890253
1891236
1892295
1893271
1894285
1895269
1896265
1897271
1898275
1899248
1900316
1901244
1902266
1903265
1904286
1905308
1906262
1907280
1908292
1909347
1910383
1911394
1912664
1913747
1914991
19151,198
19161,287
19171,304
19181,416
19191,378
19201,379
19211,453
19221,477
19231,333
19241,396
19251,333
19261,295
19271,258
19281,153
19291,120
19301,109
1931958
1932961
1933878
1934862
1935832
1936804
1937863
1938828
1939765
1940824
1941843
1942858
1943843
1944853
1945708
1946809
1947826
1948831
1949744
1950762
1951683
1952741
1953687
1954670
1955696
1956612
1957584
1958523
1959522
1960528
1961491
1962460
1963443
1964449
1965395
1966364
1967285
1968319
1969335
1970345
1971316
1972293
1973248
1974242
1975236
1976244
1977234
1978220
1979237
1980206
1981231
1982228
1983213
1984181
1985172
1986185
1987155
1988173
1989190
1990176
1991145
1992136
1993147
1994126
1995105
1996102
1997101
1998107
199988
2000103
200190
200287
200381
200470
200599
200691
200785
200885
200978
201073
201179
201280
201387
2014101
201599
201699
201799
2018113
2019128
2020112
2021132
2022112
2023118
2024119