In Los Angeles, the city of stars, it seems a new one is being born every day—literally. His name is Luka.

Since Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, a different kind of buzz has begun to spread through Southern California maternity wards and baby name forums alike. Parents from Pasadena to Palos Verdes are making a very modern statement: they’re naming their newborns after the Lakers’ new superstar.

And no, this isn’t just a case of coincidence.

According to newly compiled baby name data from the Social Security Administration, the name Luka has skyrocketed in popularity across the country over the last three years—racking up 10,235 newborns bearing the name. That includes a sharp 10.5% increase from 2022 to 2023 alone, a time when Dončić was lighting up box scores in Dallas and captivating highlight reels everywhere else.

But since his trade to L.A.? Local hospitals have reported an anecdotal uptick in the name “Luka” being chosen by new parents. While hard Los Angeles-specific data won’t be released until next year, you don’t need a spreadsheet to see the signs. Walk through a suburban playground this summer, and chances are, someone’s calling for a little Luka to come down the slide.

This isn’t Dončić’s first time sparking a baby name trend. During his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, especially around his All-NBA First Team selection in the 2020–21 season, the name Luka surged in Texas, particularly across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

For many, he wasn’t just a generational talent on the hardwood—he was an inspiration.

And that’s exactly the kind of magic that now has L.A. under its spell.

“It feels special that someone named their child after me,” Dončić said in a 2021 interview, when the name was first gaining national traction. “Maybe they’re not all after me, you know, I think some of them are. But it feels special.”

Fast forward to 2025, and the sentiment is truer than ever. Dončić himself just welcomed a new baby girl on Saturday, but instead of naming her after his favorite athlete, he and his fiancee Anamaria Goltes, chose the beautiful name Olivia.

“It’s amazing, man,” he said, the smile uncontainable. “Another daughter. I’m so happy. I know they’re going to stress me out when they get older, but I already told them—I’m gonna be their security after I retire.”

In the race to dominate baby name charts, Dončić isn’t just playing point guard—he’s dunking on the competition.

Among basketball-influenced names, Luka trails only Anthony (likely buoyed by broader cultural use) in overall count over the past three years. Here’s a snapshot of the scoreboard:

NameCountAnthony19,626Luka10,235Kyrie5,102Jaylen3,579Kobe2,868 Jayson1,525Giannis468Shaquille104LeBron36Steph5

Even Kobe—a beloved and eternal icon in Los Angeles—has found his name being matched by the new prince in purple and gold.

And he’s not alone. The NBA has quietly become the most unlikely baby name factory in American culture. From Kyrie to Jaylen, from Jayson to Giannis, modern hoop heroes are showing up on birth certificates at a rising rate. But it’s Luka who’s leading the next generation, both on and off the court.

It’s no secret that playing for the Los Angeles Lakers amplifies everything. Legacy. Scrutiny. Fame. And yes—even baby names.

Just ask Shaquille, whose name once saw a spike during the height of his dominance with the Lakers in the early 2000s. Or LeBron, whose rare name hasn’t quite seen the same bounce despite his GOAT-level career. Still, few stars have connected with young fans and families in quite the same way Dončić has.

His on-court wizardry, off-court charm, and global appeal make him uniquely marketable to a generation raised on Instagram reels and TikTok edits. Add the cachet of being the newest face of the Lakers—arguably the most storied franchise in sports—and it’s no surprise parents are saying, “Luka it is.”

There’s something poetic about naming your child after a sports hero. It’s a quiet wish for greatness. A whisper of hope. A belief that, maybe, that name might carry a bit of the magic with it.

In the case of Luka Dončić, that magic feels tangible.

With BabyCenter ranking Luka at #80 for all boys’ names in 2024 and The Bump placing it at #94, the trend has been climbing even before his Lakers debut. The name itself has global roots—from Greek to Slavic origins—and can work across cultures and genders, giving it even more appeal.

But here in Los Angeles, the current momentum feels driven by something more. Something purple and gold. Something that dunks and dishes and hits 35-foot step-backs.

As one new dad outside Cedars-Sinai Medical Center put it, holding his swaddled son with a tiny Lakers onesie:
“Once we knew Luka was coming to the Lakers, it was a done deal. My wife and I just looked at each other. He’s Luka. Period.”

And just like that, the Lakers might’ve found their future point guard… in 2043.