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 consonants. 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
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