Lucifer
A boy's name of Latin origin with 465 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A taxonomic genus within the family Luciferidae – certain prawns.
Lucifer is a boy's baby name of Latin origin, meaning 'light-bringer' or 'morning star' — from lux (light) and ferre (to bring). Originally a Latin name for the planet Venus as it appears before sunrise, it became associated with Satan through Biblical interpretation of Isaiah 14:12, though the original Hebrew text uses a different term.
Parents who choose this name typically do so for its original astronomical or mythological meaning rather than its Satanic associations — reclaiming a name that literally means 'bringer of light.' The Fox television series Lucifer (2016-2021) portrayed the character in a charismatic, sympathetic light, bringing a new generation's awareness to the name's more complex dimensions.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Lucifer is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (2002–2024). Its Latin roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Lucifer is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #2766), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lucifer has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2002.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 277 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 156 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 32 | — |
The Story of Lucifer
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Lucifer is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Lucifer are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Lucifer?
Only about 1 in every 76,596 babies born in 2024 was named Lucifer — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2002, peaked in the 2020s with 277 births that decade.
Lucifer by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Lucifer per day would take 1.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(20 years, 2002–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | #2766 |
| 2023 | 44 | #2867 |
| 2022 | 60 | #2368 |
| 2021 | 70 | #2089 |
| 2020 | 56 | #2384 |
| 2019 | 47 | #2717 |
| 2018 | 26 | #4066 |
| 2017 | 24 | #4290 |
| 2016 | 13 | #6568 |
| 2015 | 7 | #10210 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7352 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8515 |
| 2012 | 5 | #13449 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9286 |
| 2010 | 6 | #11643 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8736 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13615 |
| 2006 | 7 | #10225 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12037 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10164 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lucifer a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lucifer most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2002–2024