UK girl's name
Luz
Spanish given name meaning "light".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Luz is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Luz popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 5 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2007 to 2020. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Luz. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Luz ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 5 girls were registered as Luz.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Luz as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5493
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
5 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Luz mean?
The name Luz originates from the Spanish and Portuguese languages, deriving from the Latin word "lux," meaning "light." This name has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing modern-day Spain and Portugal, dating back to the Roman era.
Luz's connection to the Latin word "lux" suggests an association with illumination, brightness, and radiance. In the Christian tradition, the name may hold symbolic significance, representing the light of faith or the divine light that guides one's path.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Luz can be found in the Bible's Book of Genesis, where it refers to the ancient Canaanite city of Luz, later renamed Bethel. This biblical reference further cements the name's antiquity and its potential spiritual connotations.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Luz. One of the earliest was Luz Gomez, a Spanish noblewoman and courtier during the 15th century, known for her influential role in the court of King Juan II of Castile.
In the realm of literature, Luz Lara was a prominent Mexican poet and essayist born in 1924, celebrated for her poetic works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience.
Luz Marina Zuluaga, born in 1938, was a Colombian politician and activist who played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and social justice in her country.
Luz Casal, a renowned Spanish singer-songwriter born in 1958, has made a lasting impact on the music industry with her powerful vocals and poetic lyrics, earning her numerous accolades and a dedicated fan base.
Luz Mendoza, born in 1962, is a Guatemalan writer and journalist whose works have shed light on the experiences of indigenous communities and social issues in her home country.
These individuals, spanning different eras and fields, have carried the name Luz and contributed to its enduring legacy, each leaving their mark on history with their achievements and contributions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Luz over time
The chart below shows babies named Luz registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Luz, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Luz by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Luz was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5493 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5202 | 11 | 3 |
| 2000s | #5373 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Luz
- Lily 72,956
- Lucy 70,663
- Lauren 50,664
- Leah 33,185
- Lola 24,525
- Layla 24,520
- Laura 23,471
- Lilly 21,714
- Lydia 18,353
- Libby 14,515
- Lara 13,415
- Lacey 13,406
FAQ
Luz: questions and answers
How popular is the name Luz in the UK right now?
In 2020, Luz was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Luz most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 5 babies registered as Luz in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Luz?
Spanish given name meaning "light".
How many people are called Luz in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Luz across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.