Boy · 118th of 7,545
Luther
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
67,297
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1922
Peak Popularity Year
1,490
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Luther stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Luther is a German name meaning 'people's army,' originating from the Old High German 'Liuthar.' It evolved through various forms and gained prominence in the 16th century due to Martin Luther's impact on religion. The name conveys traits of strength and leadership, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈluːθər/
Origin
German
Etymology
The name Luther is derived from the Germanic element 'liut,' meaning 'people,' and 'heri,' meaning 'army.' It is often associated with the German Reformer Martin Luther.
Meaning
people's army
Language Evolution
Old High German: Liuthar, Middle High German: Liuther, Modern German: Luther
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 16th century due to Martin Luther's role in the Protestant Reformation, which made it a prominent name in Christian communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Lutheran, Luthar, Luthers
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Luther is viewed as a strong and traditional name, often associated with leadership and reform.
Famous People
Martin Luther, Luther Vandross, Luther Burbank
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,490 peak births in 1922
Geographic Spread
Popular across 42 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 118th of 7545 | 23,236 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 172nd of 6773 | 16,062 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 291st of 7552 | 12,061 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 484th of 10718 | 4,519 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 753rd of 16616 | 2,665 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1580th of 24088 | 1,397 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1554th of 23106 | 1,319 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2661st of 9107 | 200 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3005th of 9204 | 165 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6826th of 12526 | 54 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 14367th of 19264 | 16 |