Luqa

Maltese

Etymology

Probably from Sicilian Luca, from Latin Lucas. The replacement of Romance [k] with Maltese [q] (later [ʔ]) is found in many words, especially in the vicinity of back vowels. The phonetic identity of the form with Arabic لُوقَا (lūqā), from Classical Syriac ܠܘܩܐ (lūqā), is probably coincidental, as there is otherwise not a single Christian proper name of Arabic origin in Maltese. Eventually from Ancient Greek Λουκᾶς (Loukâs).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈluːʔa/

Proper noun

Luqa m

1. Luke, Lucas