The name Juliana has its origins in the ancient Roman world, derived from the masculine name Julius, which can be traced back to the 1st century BC. Julius was a family name of the gens Julia, one of the most prominent patrician houses in ancient Rome. The name is believed to be related to the Latin word "ioulos", meaning "downy-bearded" or "soft, tender".

In ancient Roman mythology, Julius Caesar was said to have been named after his ancestor who was born by Caesarean section, as the root word "caesaries" means "head of hair". The feminine form, Juliana, emerged in the early Christian era, borne by several saints and martyrs in the early centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Juliana is Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, a virgin martyr who was executed during the Diocletian persecution in the early 4th century AD. Her feast day is celebrated on February 16th in the Roman Catholic Church.

In the 4th century, another Saint Juliana lived in Pavía, Italy, and was noted for her piety and charitable works. She is commemorated on June 7th in the Catholic Church calendar.

During the Middle Ages, the name Juliana gained popularity across Europe, particularly in England and France. One notable bearer was Juliana of Norwich, an influential English mystic and anchoress who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Her spiritual writings, including her famous work "Revelations of Divine Love", had a significant impact on Christian theology and mysticism.

In the 16th century, Juliana Anicia Fausta, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Anicius Olybrius, was a prominent figure in the Eastern Roman Empire. She is remembered for her patronage of the arts and literature.

Another notable Juliana was Juliana von Stolberg, a 16th-century German noblewoman who was a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. She played a vital role in the spread of the Reformation in her region and was a patron of theologians and reformers.

Throughout history, the name Juliana has been borne by various artists, writers, and royalty, including Juliana of the Netherlands, who reigned as Queen of the Netherlands from 1948 to 1980, and Juliana Horatia Ewing, a 19th-century English writer and novelist.