Log in · Sign up

Lucien Boy

Popularity: #671 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationLOO-shen / luːˈʃeɪn

Latin; French

Meaning

Latin: light; French: light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lucien is derived from the Latin name Lucianus, which itself comes from the root word "lux," meaning "light." This etymological lineage traces back to the ancient Roman period, where names associated with light were often given to signify brightness or enlightenment. The transition from Lucianus to Lucien occurred through the influence of Old French, where the name evolved into its modern form. The adoption of Lucien into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, as the French language and culture began to permeate English society.

Historically, the name Lucian has been borne by several notable figures, including early Christian saints. One of the most significant was Saint Lucian of Antioch, a theologian and martyr who lived in the 3rd century. His contributions to early Christian thought and the development of the Nicene Creed in the 4th century helped solidify the name's importance within the Christian tradition. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and translations, including the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible, which further established its presence in religious contexts.

Culturally, the name Lucien has been associated with themes of illumination and knowledge, resonating with literary and artistic traditions throughout history. It has been used in various works of literature and art, often symbolizing wisdom or enlightenment. The name's French form, Lucien, carries a certain elegance and has been embraced in various cultural contexts, particularly in literature and philosophy. This enduring legacy reflects the name's deep-rooted significance in both historical and cultural narratives.

Trend Summary

Lucien has seen a gradual increase in popularity in the United States over recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Lucian
  • Luc
  • Luce

International Variants

  • Luciano (Italian)
  • Luca (Italian)
  • Luzio (Italian)
  • Lúcio (Portuguese)
  • Luz (Spanish)

Famous people named Lucien

Lucien Freud is a painter best known for his portraits and nudes, particularly in the style of expressionism.

Lucien Laviscount is an actor best known for his roles in Skins, Emily in Paris, and the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit.

Fictional characters named Lucien

Lucien is a fictional character from the comic book series The Sandman. He is the librarian of the Dreaming and serves as a key ally to Dream, providing guidance and support throughout the series.

Lucien is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. He is a key figure in the story, often providing wisdom and assistance to the protagonist, Link.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lucien was first seen in the United States in 1880. Lucien has ranked as high as #1105 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, California, and Maine. In the past 5 years the name Lucien has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Lucien (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 32
17%
TX 21
11%
FL 20
11%
NY 13
7%
PA 12
7%
VA 12
7%
OH 8
4%
NC 8
4%
GA 7
4%
MA 7
4%
TN 7
4%
WA 6
3%
OR 5
3%
IL 5
3%
IN 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188019
188111
188215
188311
188411
188514
18868
188711
188816
188912
189010
189112
189210
189313
189412
189513
189614
189713
18989
189914
190013
19018
190219
190316
190410
190518
190613
190714
190814
190930
191022
191136
191248
191378
191489
1915125
1916147
1917119
1918118
1919129
1920122
1921141
1922137
1923158
1924129
1925132
1926142
1927145
192897
192982
1930107
193198
193273
193376
193498
193554
193662
193747
193861
193963
194067
194173
194277
194375
194476
194557
194684
194785
194878
194973
195065
195147
195253
195354
195457
195553
195647
195753
195848
195941
196037
196145
196223
196333
196438
196529
196628
196741
196839
196932
197033
197135
197233
197328
197435
197530
197625
197733
197834
197935
198042
198133
198242
198329
198434
198542
198625
198727
198834
198936
199034
199135
199232
199331
199440
199520
199630
199738
199843
199934
200052
200181
200269
200369
200487
2005113
2006150
2007141
2008145
2009152
2010169
2011164
2012161
2013173
2014150
2015162
2016176
2017167
2018161
2019167
2020182
2021179
2022202
2023250
2024255