The first name Lucian
A boy’s name from Latin meaning “light”.
Pronounced /ˈluː.sɪən/ 2 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Lucian means “light” in Latin.
From Latin Lūcianus, either a derivative of the Roman praenomen Lūcius, from lūx (“light”); or from Ancient Greek Λουκιανός (Loukianós), of obscure meaning.
More names that mean light.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 85 boys were named Lucian, making it the 452nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 103 births (#398).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Lucian with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Lucian at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 670 boys born in the United States were named Lucian, the 462nd most popular boys’ name that year.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Lucian in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Lucian in Romanian too.
Famous people named Lucian
10 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Lucian of Samosata2nd-century Syrian satirist and rhetorician, 120–180
- Lucian FreudBritish painter and agravar (1922-2011)
- Lucian SănmărteanAssociation football player from Romania, born 1980
- Lucian of AntiochChristian martyr, presbyter and theologian (died 312)
- Lucian MsamatiBritish actor, born 1976
- Lucian PulvermacherAmerican Catholic priest (1918–2009)
- Lucian MüllerGerman classical philologist (1836–1898)
- Lucian of BeauvaisChristian martyr, died 290
- Lucian M. WalkowiczAmerican stellar astronomer, born 1979
- Lucian W. ParrishAmerican politician (1878-1922)
More Latin boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Lucian mean?
- Lucian means “light” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Lucian?
- From Latin Lūcianus, either a derivative of the Roman praenomen Lūcius, from lūx (“light”); or from Ancient Greek Λουκιανός (Loukianós), of obscure meaning.
- How popular is the name Lucian?
- In 2025, 85 boys born in England and Wales were named Lucian, ranking 452nd. Its peak was 2012, with 103 births.
- Is Lucian a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 14,501 US babies named Lucian since 1880 were boys.
- When was Lucian most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 670 babies were named Lucian, its highest rank at 462nd.
- How do you pronounce Lucian?
- Lucian is /ˈluː.sɪən/, 2 syllables.