Lily
Lily Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
LIL-ee
Meaning of Lily: Lily derives from the Latin lilium, borrowed from the Greek leirion, denoting the white lily plant.
The flower carried deep symbolic weight in ancient Mediterranean cultures—appearing in Egyptian tomb paintings as a symbol of rebirth and in Hebrew scripture as an emblem of divine beauty. Its cultural significance spans Bronze Age Crete through Renaissance Christian iconography.
In Christian tradition, the white lily represented the Virgin Mary’s purity, a meaning that persisted in European art and naming through the 19th century. This Marian association made the name especially popular in Catholic communities and gave it a religious depth that many purely decorative floral names lack.
What Does Lily Mean? Origin & Etymology
As a given name, Lily gained traction in England during the Victorian era when floral names surged alongside the Arts and Crafts movement. By 1900, it ranked among the top 15 girls’ names in England and Wales.
The name fell from favor mid-century before recovering in the 1980s—following the broader Victorian name revival that also restored Emma, Evelyn, and Alice.
According to SSA records, Lily entered the US top 100 in 1997 and broke the top 30 in 2003. It reached rank 15 in 2011 with over 8,000 registered girls.
In 2024, 6,093 girls received the name at rank 24, per SSA figures—a stable plateau maintained for over a decade.
US trends tracked UK popularity with a 5–10 year lag, a pattern common among names that originate in British naming culture.
Lily also functions as a short form of Lillian, Liliana, and Elizabeth in some naming traditions. Variant spellings include Lilly and Lilli, both in the US top 200.
Related names Liliana, Lilac, and Lila share the same Latin-Greek floral root and have benefited from Lily’s sustained visibility. Lily ranks in the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada simultaneously.
How Popular Is Lily?
Numerology & Symbolism of Lily
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Lily – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lily
What does Lily mean?
What is the origin of Lily?
Lily derives from Latin lilium (lily flower). Victorian floral naming brought it into English use in the 19th century. It declined mid-century before a sharp revival in the 1990s botanical name trend.
How popular is Lily in the US?
Lily ranks 24 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 25 in 2002 and the top 10 from 2007 to 2012. Lily ranks in the top 20 in England, Wales, and Australia.
What are variants of Lily?
Is Lily more popular for girls or boys?
Lily is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 24 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.
Lily – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Lillie | English variant |
| Lilly | English variant |
| Lili | French/Hungarian/German |
| Lilie | German |
| Liliana | Latin/Italian/Spanish |
| Lilia | Russian/Spanish |