Baby Name of the Day: Luciano

The baby name Luciano blends the appeal of New Testament classic Luke with a romantic, dramatic energy.

Thanks to Brittany for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME LUCIANO MEAN?

The baby name Luciano occurs in romance languages. Think Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It comes from the Latin Lucianus.

There are two possible explanations for Lucianus:

• First, it’s an elaboration of Lucius, which comes from the Latin word lux, meaning light.
• Alternately, it comes from the place name Lucania, a historical region in southern Italy. 

Strictly speaking, Lucas – and Luke and Luca – come from Lucania. While Lucian, Lucien, and Luciano are typically associated with the former.

However, they’re all sort of wrapped up together and it’s difficult to draw a bright side. That’s even more true with so many historical figures answering to some form of the name Luke or Lucius. Many of the Luc- and Luk- names are wildly popular today, which makes it even more difficult to separate them.

Rare names with associated meanings include Lucasta – “pure light” and even Lucifer – “bringer of light.”

LUCKY LUCIANO

The name Luke tends to suggest heroes. Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker, maybe, or a young Paul Newman starring in Cool Hand Luke. Or maybe you’ll think of actors like Luke Perry and Luke Wilson or musicians like Luke Bryan.

Beyond fictional characters and famous people, there’s one Luciano who stands out: the mobster Lucky Luciano. 

Born in Sicily, Salvatore Lucania came to New York City as a child. Known as Charles “Lucky” Luciano in America, he started out a bootlegger. Lucky worked his way up to become a major figure in organized crime in the United States. Not only did he run one of New York’s major crime families, he structured the way the families controlled the city for years.

Like many a mobster and Mafioso, Lucky often appears as a character in TV series and movies. Christian Slater played a young Lucky, a main character, in 1991’s Mobsters. Vincent Piazza played him in Boardwalk Empire from 2010 through 2014.

From Jesse James to Clyde Barrow, outlaw names often fare well, especially as fictionalized accounts of their lives paint them as rebellious antiheroes.

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI

Another powerful figure associated with the name? Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The singer became internationally known, and remains familiar, years after his 2007 death.

Born to a poor family in Italy in 1935, by the 1960s, he was signing professionally. As one of the Three Tenors, he became an in-demand international act. His albums sold successfully, and he scooped up Grammys and other awards over the course of his long career.

Later in life, his philanthropic efforts were also lauded. Pavarotti was especially involved with the Red Cross.

THE LUKE GROUP

Luc- and Luk- names appearing in the current US Top 1000 include:

• Luke
• Luca, Luka, and Lucca
• Top Ten Lucas, as well as Lukas
• Lucian and typical French spelling Lucien
• Lucy
• Lucia
• Lucille
• Luciana

And, of course, there’s the baby name Luciano. Even more variations, like Loukas and Lukasz, are heard across Europe.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME LUCIANO?

The gangster and the tenor make this name feel especially Italian, but it’s also heard in South America and elsewhere in Europe.

In the US, it’s been in sparing use for years, dipping in and out of the Top 1000 baby boy names throughout the twentieth century. Beginning in the late 1990s, the name started a steady climb.

At #348 as of 2024, it’s currently at its most popular ranking ever.

Luciano fits with longer names, like Sebastian and Santiago. But it shortens nicely, too, to Luca or Luke, which makes this name quite versatile. With similar names like Emiliano trending, Luciano has potential.

ROMANTIC and ELABORATE CHOICE

If you’re looking for an Italian heritage choice, or perhaps a romance language name that works well in the US, but isn’t too common, the baby name Luciano could wear well.

It fits right in with many a popular name, but still sounds a little bit distinctive. For many families, Luciano could be the perfect choice.

What do you think of the baby name Luciano?

First published on September 29, 2015, this post was revised on July 1, 2025.