I’m in the U.S., and I’ve always pronounced [name]Lucius[/name] as Loo-shus and [name]Lucien[/name] as Loo-see-en. Neither one is common here, but I fell in love with [name]Lucien[/name] when I was six or seven and first watched the movie and read the book “Treasures of the [name]Snow[/name],” by [name]Patricia[/name] St. [name]John[/name]. In spite of the fact that [name]Lucien[/name] is the “bad boy,” (though he undergoes a transformation), I have always loved his name. The story is set in the Swiss Alps, so many of the names are French, and his is pronounced Loo-see-en.
[name]Just[/name] last night I watched “Secretariat,” where the French-Canadian trainer’s name is [name]Lucien[/name]. Most of the characters pronounce it Loo-shen.
So since I’m in the U.S., should my pronunciation of these names “match?” Is the issue for [name]Lucien[/name] roughly the same as for [name]Lucius[/name]–mainly Loo-shus here and Loo-see-us in Europe?
Or can I pronounce each one the way I prefer?
Thanks!
I’m from the US and have always pronounced them [name]Lu[/name]- see- us and [name]Lu[/name]- see- en. Pronounce it the way you like best. Most people will get it right after a simple correction.
Congrats and good luck!
I am from the Northeastern U.S. and prn them Loo-shus and Loo-shen, and I think they are gorgeous names. I agree with jaderain that you could pronounce it either way and you should prn it the way you like.
I would probably say Loo-see-us and Loo-see-en. But if a parent wanted it prn another way, I am adaptable.
I originally pn it Loo-see-us, but after the HP movies, I say it as Loo-shus because that’s how it’s pn in the movies. [name]Lucien[/name] is pn loo-see-en.
I pronounce them Loo-shus and Loo-shen. That’s the only ways I’ve heard them and I think they’re both stunning. If the other pronunciations are legitimate, then pronounce them the way you like. 
Thanks for the replies so far! Sounds like a pretty mixed bag I am pretty sure both sets of pronunciations are legitimate. It just sounds as though if I ever named a son [name]Lucius[/name] or [name]Lucien[/name], I’d have to correct a few people as I introduced him.
By the way, Dantea, I see you got Frode back! I did like it better.
I’ve only ever heard Loo-shen although I have heard both pronunciations of [name]Lucius[/name] (like sister [name]Lucia[/name]). I know a little boy [name]Lucien[/name] (about 3) and his parents said that they have no end of problems with people mispronouncing or thinking he’s a girl. [name]Just[/name] a warning! If you love it, it will be worthwhile.
Thanks, gwensmom! Good to know. It’s too bad [name]Lucien[/name] isn’t more user-friendly here; it’s such a handsome name.
Since I know they’re both legit pronunciations, I say go for the one you love.
and yea, I noticed that [name]Vidar[/name] sounds like Vader and so every time he said [name]Vidar[/name] I said Vader quietly until one day he goes “You know, if someone found out the second middle, I would rather they associate him with [name]Frodo[/name] instead of Darth Vader.” I win
Lucien is my nephews name, it’s pretty split between Loo see ahn and Loo shen depending on who is from where. I think “loo see en” is fine here as well but you would only say it that way in France for a girl since that’s technically the prn for Lucienne.
If you want to know the French prn of a French name this is a good rule:
if it ends in “en” it is masculine (or unisex) and is going to make an “ahn” sound: think Vivien.
If it ends in “enne” it’s feminine and makes an “ehn” sound think Vivienne.
In English I think there are exceptions and “Viv ee en” or “Loo see en” or “loo shen” in this case are fine, I dont think anyone expects you to walk around saying loo see AHN or anything like that. Not sure about Lucius though. Hope that helps!
I love both [name]Lucien[/name] and [name]Lucius[/name]! I love that they mean “light”–I can’t help but think of heaven and the angels. I’m with you, I’ve always said them loo-see-ehn and loo-shuss. I’ve always heard that [name]Lucien[/name] was loo-see-ehn and [name]Lucian[/name] was loo-shen. I personally prefer [name]Lucian[/name] to [name]Lucien[/name], anyway, but I definitely say them as you do.
Good luck!
I’m from the United States. I watched and read [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]. (lol) I say them, Loo-see-us and Loo-see-en I think I predominatly got my pronounciations from the TV show, [name]Rome[/name].
Thanks for all the new comments! thetxbelle, thanks a lot for the French pronunciation rules. My only baby name book containing pronunciations is not always very accurate; [name]Lucien[/name] is listed only once, under French names, with the pronunciation Loo-see-en.
I had no idea the name was as variable as this…