"bluish, pale purple"
Origin: Persian
Language: English
Lilac
Pronunciation: [ l-EYEL-ak ]
Does Lilac flow with your last name?
A delicate floral name in full bloom
English
French
Persian
Whimsical
Earthy
Vintage
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Lilac
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Lilac
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"pale purple flower"
Origin: French
Language: French
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Lilac
See all →What the Lilac report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Lilac the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Lilac
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Lilac head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Lilac actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Lilac
Lilac traces its roots to the Persian word 'nilak' meaning 'bluish,' which traveled through Arabic as 'lilak' and into French as 'lilas.' The Syringa vulgaris shrub was introduced to Western Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and its fragrant purple blossoms quickly captivated European gardens. As a given name, Lilac joins the Victorian tradition of botanical names for girls, evoking both beauty and ephemerality.
Lilac has risen steadily alongside a broader nature-name revival, benefiting from the success of Violet and Iris. Parents seeking floral names beyond the ubiquitous Rose and Lily have embraced Lilac for its vintage elegance and sensory richness.
In Persian culture, lilac symbolizes the arrival of spring and new beginnings. Victorian England associated lilac blossoms with first love and innocence. In parts of Eastern Europe, lilac was planted near homes to ward off evil spirits.
Historical Record
Lilac first appeared in US Social Security records in 1979.
Over 335 babies have been named Lilac in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lilac is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,627 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word lilac is one of the few English color terms borrowed directly from Persian
- Lilac Sunday at Boston's Arnold Arboretum draws thousands of visitors each May to celebrate blooming lilacs
- The scent of lilac is widely used in perfumery to evoke spring and nostalgia
Lilac in Other Languages
Arabic
ليلك
French
Lilas
German
Lila
Persian
نیلک
Spanish
Lila
Popularity Over Time
#3,627
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lilac
L
Lilac Ravasi
Musician
Israeli singer-songwriter who gained recognition in the early 2000s
L
Lilac Fictional
Other
The protagonist of the video game Freedom Planet (2014), a half-dragon girl with purple hair and superhuman speed who fi...
The protagonist of the video game Freedom Planet (2014), a half-dragon girl with purple hair and superhuman speed who fights to protect her world
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Snow
Girl
"white, pure"
#3,572
Rayana
Girl
"door of paradise (Jannah)"
#3,473
Maribelle
Girl
"beautiful Mary"
#3,754
Teddy
Girl
"gift of God"
#3,453
Grayson
Girl
"from the gray lands"
#3,585
Compare Lilac with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,627
- Total SSA Count
- 43
- Cultural Origins
- English French Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lily
Lila
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lilac
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Lilac fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Lilac →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Lilac with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Lilac
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Lilac and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Lilac sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Snow
Girl
symbolic origin
"white, pure"
#3,572 in US
Rayana
Girl
Arabic origin
"door of paradise (Jannah)"
#3,473 in US
Maribelle
Girl
French compound origin
"beautiful Mary"
#3,754 in US
Teddy
Girl
Greek origin
"gift of God"
#3,453 in US
Grayson
Girl
Old English origin
"from the gray lands"
#3,585 in US
Maeven
Girl
Hebrew origin
"one who understands, expert"
#3,629 in US
Rana
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"queen, princess"
#3,704 in US
Gwenevere
Girl
Welsh origin
"white phantom, fair spirit"
#3,578 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Lilac's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lilac
What does the name Lilac mean?
"bluish, pale purple" (from Persian). "pale purple flower" (from French). Lilac traces its roots to the Persian word 'nilak' meaning 'bluish,' which traveled through Arabic as 'lilak' and into French as 'lilas.' The Syringa vulgaris shrub was introduced to Western Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and its fragrant purple blossoms quickly captivated European gardens. As a given name, Lilac joins the Victorian tradition of botanical names for girls, evoking both beauty and ephemerality.
What is the origin of the name Lilac?
Lilac has Persian, French, and English origins. In Persian, it means "bluish, pale purple". In French, it means "pale purple flower".
Is Lilac a boy or girl name?
Lilac is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lilac?
Lilac is pronounced l-EYEL-ak.
How popular is the name Lilac?
Lilac is currently ranked #3627 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lilac?
Common nicknames for Lilac include Lily and Lila.
What are good middle names for Lilac?
Popular middle name pairings include Lilac Rose, Lilac Mae, Lilac June, Lilac Pearl, Lilac Fern, Lilac Claire, and Lilac Dawn.
What are good sibling names for Lilac?
Names that pair well with Lilac as siblings include Violet, Iris, Sage, Willow, Jasper, Cedar, and Fern.
How many syllables does Lilac have?
Lilac has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lilac a common or rare name?
Lilac is an uncommon name, ranked #3627 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Lilac?
About the Name Lilac
Lilac is a girl name with English, French, and Persian origins . The name means "bluish, pale purple" in Persian .
Lilac is currently ranked #3,627 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lilac has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EYEL-ak, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lilac include Lily and Lila. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lilac include Lilah, Lila . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Persian Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More girl names like Lilac
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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