The name Luciano is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin name Lucianus or Lucius. The name Lucius itself comes from the Latin word "lux," meaning light. The first known use of the name dates back to ancient Roman times.

In the early Christian era, the name gained popularity as a name for saints and martyrs. One notable bearer was Saint Lucian of Antioch, a Christian martyr who died around 312 AD in the city of Antioch. Another early bearer was Saint Lucian of Beauvais, a bishop who lived in the 6th century in Gaul (modern-day France).

The name Luciano has been common in Italy for centuries, particularly in regions like Tuscany and Umbria. One of the earliest recorded bearers was Luciano da Siena, an Italian painter who lived in the 13th century. Another notable Italian with this name was Luciano Laurana, a Renaissance architect and sculptor from Dalmatia who worked primarily in Italy in the 15th century.

Outside of Italy, the name has been used in various forms across Europe and Latin America. In Spain, the name is sometimes spelled as Luciano or Luziano. In France, it appears as Lucien. In Portugal and Brazil, the spelling Luciano is more common.

Among the famous historical figures with the name Luciano are Luciano Berio, an Italian composer who lived from 1925 to 2003. Another is Luciano Pavarotti, the renowned Italian operatic tenor who lived from 1935 to 2007. In the world of literature, Luciano de Samosata was a Syrian satirist and rhetorician who lived in the 2nd century AD.

Other notable bearers include Luciano Benetton, the Italian businessman and founder of the Benetton Group, born in 1935, and Luciano Fabro, an Italian artist and sculptor who lived from 1936 to 2007.