Lucian is an ancient Roman male given name, derived from the Latin word "lux," meaning light. It was popular among early Christians and has since been used by various cultures throughout history. Notable figures who have borne this name include Lucian of Samosata, a 2nd-century Greek satirist, and St. Lucian of Antioch, an early Christian theologian. Today, Lucian is still used as a given name but is less common than it was in the past.
The name Lucian has seen fluctuations in popularity over the past century, with birth totals ranging from 5 to 6 per year. The most recent data shows a slight decrease in usage, as there were only 5 births recorded in 2014 compared to 6 in 2007.