boy's name
Lucious
LOO-shus (English)
- Origin Latin
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 7
- Popularity Uncommon
- Births on record 4,971
Lucious is a boy's name meaning "light." It is an English spelling of the Latin Lucius, written the way the name is usually said in the United States, and it has been in American use for more than a century. It shares its sound with the word luscious, but not its origin.
- Lucious is a name of Latin origin.
- Peaked in 1926, when 76 babies were given the name.
- After peaking in the 1920s it fell out of use, and is now climbing again — a classic revival.
- Today about 1 in 132,626 babies in the United States is given this name.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Lucious Over Time
Births per decade in the United States, 1880s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 142 |
| 1890s | 139 |
| 1900s | 186 |
| 1910s | 522 |
| 1920s | 643 |
| 1930s | 528 |
| 1940s | 550 |
| 1950s | 589 |
| 1960s | 299 |
| 1970s | 250 |
| 1980s | 193 |
| 1990s | 121 |
| 2000s | 195 |
| 2010s | 312 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 167 |
What Lucious Means
Lucious carries the meaning of Lucius, which comes from the Latin lux, "light." Roman writers explained the original as a name for a boy born at dawn, so both spellings point to first light and a fresh start.
Where Lucious Comes From
Lucious began as a respelling of Lucius, the most common personal name of ancient Rome. English speakers usually say Lucius as LOO-shus, and Lucious spells out that sound, the way many American names have been reshaped to match how they are spoken. It has appeared in US birth records for more than a century and reached its highest point in the 1920s. Despite the resemblance, it has nothing to do with luscious, the English word for rich or delicious, which has a separate history of its own.
Lucious in Use
The best-known bearer in recent years is Lucious Lyon, the music mogul at the center of the television drama Empire, played by Terrence Howard.
How Popular Is Lucious?
In 2025, Lucious was given to 25 babies in the United States. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Where Lucious Is Used
US figures omit any name given to fewer than five babies in a year, so the rarest names are absent from the source rather than absent from use. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Lucious
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Lucious Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Lucious over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Lucious
- English LOO-shus /ˈluːʃəs/
Lucious in Other Languages
The same name as it is spelled elsewhere — not shortenings, and not different names that merely sound alike. Each one has its own record here.
Sibling Names for Lucious
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Lucious — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Lucious
What is the meaning of the name Lucious?
Lucious means "light." It shares its meaning with Lucius, which comes from the Latin lux.
What is the origin of the name Lucious?
It is an English spelling of the Latin name Lucius and has been used in the United States for more than a century.
How do you pronounce Lucious?
LOO-shus, the same as the usual American way of saying Lucius.
How popular is the name Lucious?
In 2025, Lucious was given to 25 babies in the United States. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Is Lucious a girl's or a boy's name?
Lucious is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Lucious?
Lucious has 2 syllables.
When was Lucious most popular?
Lucious peaked in 1926, when 76 babies were given the name. After peaking in the 1920s it fell out of use, and is now climbing again — a classic revival.
Is Lucious a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Lucious currently ranks #4,241 in the United States. After peaking in the 1920s it fell out of use, and is now climbing again — a classic revival. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.