Luby
Primarily a boy's name of Czech origin with 291 recorded births. Also given to 52 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Luby is a boy's and girl's baby name of Slavic origin, derived from the Slavic element lyub meaning 'love, dear' — related to names like Lubomír and Ljubica. It appears in Czech, Slovak, and Polish communities as a diminutive or informal form of longer Slavic love-names.
Luby has the gentle, affectionate quality of a name that carries the meaning of love in a compact, friendly package — two syllables that feel warm and easy.
EtymologyShow more
Though Luby dates back to 1884 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Czech classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 291 recorded births, Luby has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Luby has 39+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1884.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | #4409 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 25 | #3782 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 55 | #3232 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 63 | #3242 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 87 | #3149 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 46 | #3213 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | #1325 | — |
| 1880s | 5 | #1066 | — |
The Story of Luby
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1925, Luby is a name steeped in history. Boys named Luby are most likely born between 1915 and 1935.
How rare is Luby?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Luby is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1884, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 87 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Luby by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(39 years, 1884–1962)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 5 | #4409 |
| 1959 | 5 | #4348 |
| 1958 | 8 | #3179 |
| 1957 | 5 | #4327 |
| 1952 | 7 | #3272 |
| 1949 | 9 | #2732 |
| 1947 | 5 | #4056 |
| 1946 | 5 | #3815 |
| 1945 | 8 | #2680 |
| 1944 | 6 | #3318 |
| 1943 | 8 | #2867 |
| 1942 | 9 | #2633 |
| 1940 | 5 | #3753 |
| 1939 | 6 | #3345 |
| 1938 | 9 | #2579 |
| 1937 | 9 | #2607 |
| 1936 | 7 | #3048 |
| 1935 | 5 | #3961 |
| 1934 | 6 | #3531 |
| 1933 | 6 | #3502 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Luby as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Luby has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 52 births since 1914.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Luby a boy's or girl's name?
When was Luby most popular?
How popular is the name Luby?
Can Luby be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1884–1962