Save Gender Feminine Usage English (Rare), Roman Mythology Pronounced Pron. /lus.ˈki.ni.a/, /luʃ.ˈʃi.ni.a/ [key·simplify] Meaning & History Derived from Latin luscinia "nightingale". This was an epithet of the Roman goddess Minerva. As an English name, it has been used sparingly since the 19th century.