"lily flower, purity"
Origin: Latin lilium
Language: English
Lilly
Pronunciation: [ l-IHL-ee ]
Does Lilly flow with your last name?
A flower name with a thousand years of pure beauty
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Meaning & Origin
"symbol of innocence"
Origin: Greek leirion
Language: English
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The Story of Lilly
Lilly is a variant spelling of Lily, which derives from the Latin 'lilium' and ultimately from the Greek 'leirion.' The lily flower has been a symbol of purity, innocence, and beauty across cultures for millennia. In Christianity, the white lily represents the Virgin Mary's purity. In ancient Greek mythology, lilies were said to have sprung from the milk of Hera.
Both Lily and Lilly have been consistently popular in English-speaking countries for over a century. The name saw a major resurgence in the 1990s-2000s as part of a floral/nature name revival that also boosted Violet, Iris, and Daisy. Lilly with double-l is the second most common spelling variant.
The lily is one of the most symbolically rich flowers across cultures — representing purity in Christianity, luck in Chinese culture, and rebirth in Egyptian mythology. The name Lilly carries all this symbolic weight while remaining approachable and sweet.
Historical Record
Lilly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 53,310 babies have been named Lilly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lilly is past its peak , currently ranked #259 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The lily was sacred to the Virgin Mary and is the flower most associated with Easter
- In Victorian floriography (flower language), the lily meant purity and refined beauty
- Lily/Lilly has been in the UK top 10 girls' names for most of the 21st century
Lilly in Other Languages
French
Lili
German
Lilli
Italian
Giglio
Spanish
Lila
Japanese
リリー
Popularity Over Time
#259
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2011
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lilly
L
Lily James
Actor
1989
British actress known for Downton Abbey, Cinderella, and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
L
L
Lily Potter Fictional
Other
Harry Potter's mother in J.K. Rowling's series — a powerful witch who sacrificed her life for her son
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #259
- Total SSA Count
- 1,217
- Cultural Origins
- English American German Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lil
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lilly
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lilly is also used as a boy name, ranked #42202.
View Lilly as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lilly
What does the name Lilly mean?
"lily flower, purity" (from Latin lilium). "symbol of innocence" (from Greek leirion). Lilly is a variant spelling of Lily, which derives from the Latin 'lilium' and ultimately from the Greek 'leirion.' The lily flower has been a symbol of purity, innocence, and beauty across cultures for millennia. In Christianity, the white lily represents the Virgin Mary's purity. In ancient Greek mythology, lilies were said to have sprung from the milk of Hera.
What is the origin of the name Lilly?
Lilly has Latin lilium, Greek leirion, English, American, German, and Scandinavian origins. In Latin lilium, it means "lily flower, purity". In Greek leirion, it means "symbol of innocence".
Is Lilly a boy or girl name?
Lilly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #259. As a boy name, it is ranked #42202. Lilly is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lilly?
Lilly is pronounced l-IHL-ee.
How popular is the name Lilly?
Lilly is currently ranked #259 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lilly?
Common nicknames for Lilly include Lil.
What are good middle names for Lilly?
Popular middle name pairings include Lilly Rose, Lilly Mae, Lilly Grace, Lilly Ann, Lilly Jane, Lilly Beth, and Lilly Claire.
What are good sibling names for Lilly?
Names that pair well with Lilly as siblings include Violet, Daisy, Iris, Jack, Oliver, Rose, and Henry.
How many syllables does Lilly have?
Lilly has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lilly a common or rare name?
Lilly is a popular name, ranked #259 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Lilly?
About the Name Lilly
Lilly is a girl name with English, American, German, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "lily flower, purity" in Latin lilium .
Is Lilly a boy or girl name? Lilly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #259 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #42,202. Lilly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lilly is currently ranked #259 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lilly has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-IHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lilly include Lil. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lilly include Lillian, Lilliana, Lillie, Lillianna, Lillith . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis