Luke and Luc

Have you ever noticed the difference between the names Luke and Luc?

Luke, pronounced as it appears, is the name of a guy who could be my friend. Strong, independent, and manly, it is a name that speaks of confidence and vigor.

Luke Duke from “The Dukes of Hazzard.” A man’s man, even with his unfortunate choice of automobile decoration.

Luke Perry, former teenage heartthrob and often-forgotten (and rightfully so) star of Joss Whedon’s film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Luke Skywalker. The greatest Luke of all time.

Then there’s Luc, pronounced by puckering your lips, extending your jaw, tilting your head slightly upward, raising your eyebrows, and sounding utterly ridiculous. It’s how Jean-Luc Picard, the laughable and tragically absurd captain from Star Trek: Next Generation, pronounced his inexplicably hyphenated first name.

Luc. It is not a good name.

It does not connote confidence or vigor

It does not connote strength or independence.

One would never want to be photographed while saying this name.

Doubt my assertion? Go find a mirror.

It is impossible to shout in an emergency. Don’t believe me?

Try shouting this:

“Luc! I’m over here! To your left, Luc!”

or….

“Luc! I’m open! Pass me the ball, Luc!”

It can’t be done.

It is a ridiculous name.

These are the things that I think about when choosing a character’s name.