"lily flower, purity"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Lily
Pronunciation: [ l-IHL-ee ]
Does Lily flow with your last name?
Timeless purity in petal form
English
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French
Gentle
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"symbol of purity and rebirth"
Origin: Latin
Language: French
"purity, innocence"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Lily
Lily comes from the Latin lilium, which derived from the Greek leirion, both referring to the lily flower. The white lily has been a symbol of purity, innocence, and the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography for millennia. The name was adopted in the Victorian era as part of the fashion for flower names alongside Rose, Violet, and Daisy. The Easter lily, a symbol of resurrection, cemented its Christian associations.
Lily was one of the first vintage flower names to be revived in the late 1990s, and it blazed a trail for Violet, Iris, and Daisy to follow. It has remained in the US top 20-30 since the early 2000s. Lily James's glamorous screen presence and Lily Tomlin's decades-long career have kept the name in the cultural spotlight across generations.
The lily is the national flower of France (fleur-de-lis) and appears on the French royal coat of arms. In Christian tradition, white lilies represent the Virgin Mary's purity. In Chinese culture, the lily symbolizes good luck and prosperity. As a name, Lily carries a gentle, floral femininity that has appealed across centuries.
Historical Record
Lily first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 169,905 babies have been named Lily in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lily is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #24 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The fleur-de-lis symbol on the French royal coat of arms depicts a stylized lily
- Lily is one of only a handful of English flower names with continuous usage since the Victorian era
- Lily Evans Potter, Harry Potter's mother, is one of literature's most beloved off-page characters
Lily in Other Languages
French
Lys/Lily
German
Lilly
Chinese
莉莉
Italian
Giglio/Lilli
Russian
Лили
Spanish
Lili
Popularity Over Time
#24
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lily
L
Lily James
Actor
1989
British actress known for Cinderella, Downton Abbey, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Pam and Tommy
L
Lily Allen
Musician
1985
English singer and songwriter known for her witty and satirical pop songs including Smile and Smile
L
Lily Tomlin
Actor
1939
American actress and comedian, star of 9 to 5, Nashville, and Grace and Frankie
L
Lily Potter Fictional
Other
Harry Potter's mother, a gifted witch whose sacrificial love protected Harry from Voldemort
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #24
- Total SSA Count
- 6,093
- Cultural Origins
- English American Irish French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Lil
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lily
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lily is also used as a boy name, ranked #39006.
View Lily as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lily
What does the name Lily mean?
"lily flower, purity" (from Old English). "symbol of purity and rebirth" (from Latin). "purity, innocence" (from Latin). Lily comes from the Latin lilium, which derived from the Greek leirion, both referring to the lily flower. The white lily has been a symbol of purity, innocence, and the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography for millennia. The name was adopted in the Victorian era as part of the fashion for flower names alongside Rose, Violet, and Daisy. The Easter lily, a symbol of resurrection, cemented its Christian associations.
What is the origin of the name Lily?
Lily has Old English, Latin, English, American, Irish, and French origins. In Old English, it means "lily flower, purity". In Latin, it means "symbol of purity and rebirth". In Latin, it means "purity, innocence".
Is Lily a boy or girl name?
Lily is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #24. As a boy name, it is ranked #39006. Lily is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lily?
Lily is pronounced l-IHL-ee.
How popular is the name Lily?
Lily is currently ranked #24 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lily?
Common nicknames for Lily include Lil.
What are good middle names for Lily?
Popular middle name pairings include Lily Grace, Lily Anne, Lily Rose, Lily Jane, Lily Mae, Lily Kate, and Lily Claire.
What are good sibling names for Lily?
Names that pair well with Lily as siblings include Oliver, Violet, Jack, Iris, Jasper, Daisy, and Henry.
How many syllables does Lily have?
Lily has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lily a common or rare name?
Lily is a very popular name, ranked #24 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Lily?
About the Name Lily
Lily is a girl name with English, American, Irish, and French origins . The name means "lily flower, purity" in Old English .
Is Lily a boy or girl name? Lily is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #24 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,006. Lily is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lily is currently ranked #24 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lily has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-IHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lily include Lil. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lily include Lillian, Liliana, Lilah, Lila, Lilith . 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