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Lillith

Girl Name #2,224 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The original rebel — Adam's first wife who refused to submit

Hebrew American Gothic Pagan
Bold Vintage Literary Unique Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"of the night, night creature"
Origin: Hebrew/Akkadian
Language: Hebrew
"screech owl (ancient folk etymology)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

  • In Jewish folklore, Lilith is Adam's rebellious first wife who became a demon of the night — beautiful mythology but parents should know conservative religious communities may view this name negatively
  • Associated with the Frasier character Lilith Sternin, which is broadly neutral but colors the name with a precise, cold personality type for some

The Story of Lillith

Lillith is a variant spelling of Lilith, from Hebrew 'lilit' or 'lilith', related to the word for night ('laylah'). In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Lilitu was a class of storm demons. In Jewish mystical tradition (the Alphabet of Ben Sira, circa 700-1000 CE), Lilith became Adam's first wife, created equal to him from the same earth, who refused to be subservient and flew away from Eden. This made her a compelling feminist archetype in modern culture.

Lilith/Lillith has risen sharply since the 2000s, driven by its appearance in the TV show Frasier (the cold, brilliant psychiatrist Lilith Sternin), the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, and a general cultural embrace of mythological names with dark edges. The Lilith Fair music festival (1997-1999, 2010) also kept the name in progressive cultural consciousness.

Lilith has become a feminist symbol — the first woman who refused subjugation and chose freedom over paradise. The Lilith Fair music festival, founded by Sarah McLachlan, celebrated women in music. In modern Wiccan and Pagan traditions, Lilith is honored as a goddess of female independence.

Fun Facts

  • Lilith predates Eve in Jewish tradition — she was Adam's first wife, created equal, who left Eden rather than submit
  • Lilith Fair (1997-1999) was one of the most successful touring festivals in history, featuring exclusively female artists
  • The word 'lullaby' may derive from 'Lilith-abi' (Lilith, go away) — a charm to protect children from the night demon

Lillith in Other Languages

Arabic ليليث
French Lilith
German Lilith
Hebrew לִילִית
Spanish Lilith
Akkadian Lilitu

Famous People Named Lillith

L

Lilith Sternin Fictional

Other

Iconic character from Frasier (1993-2004), portrayed by Bebe Neuwirth — a brilliant psychiatrist known for dry wit

L

Lilith (Jewish folklore) Fictional

Other

Adam's first wife in Jewish mystical tradition, who left Eden rather than submit; now a feminist archetype

L

Lilith Aensland Fictional

Other

Character from the Darkstalkers video game series, a succubus with a kind heart

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,224
Total SSA Count
85
Cultural Origins
Hebrew American Gothic Pagan
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Lilli Lily Lillie Lillie

Pairs Well With

Lillith Rose Lillith Sage Lillith Faye Lillith Eve Lillith Dawn Lillith Jade Lillith Wren

Sibling Names

Similar Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lillith

What does the name Lillith mean?
"of the night, night creature" (from Hebrew/Akkadian). "screech owl (ancient folk etymology)" (from Hebrew). Lillith is a variant spelling of Lilith, from Hebrew 'lilit' or 'lilith', related to the word for night ('laylah'). In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Lilitu was a class of storm demons. In Jewish mystical tradition (the Alphabet of Ben Sira, circa 700-1000 CE), Lilith became Adam's first wife, created equal to him from the same earth, who refused to be subservient and flew away from Eden. This made her a compelling feminist archetype in modern culture.
What is the origin of the name Lillith?
Lillith has Hebrew/Akkadian, Hebrew, American, Gothic, and Pagan origins. In Hebrew/Akkadian, it means "of the night, night creature". In Hebrew, it means "screech owl (ancient folk etymology)".
Is Lillith a boy or girl name?
Lillith is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Lillith?
Lillith is currently ranked #2224 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lillith?
Common nicknames for Lillith include Lilli, Lily, Lillie, and Lillie.
What are good middle names for Lillith?
Popular middle name pairings include Lillith Rose, Lillith Sage, Lillith Faye, Lillith Eve, Lillith Dawn, Lillith Jade, and Lillith Wren.
What are good sibling names for Lillith?
Names that pair well with Lillith as siblings include Morrigan, Luna, Astrid, Raven, Evangeline, Seraphina, Caspian, and Dorian.
How many syllables does Lillith have?
Lillith has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lillith a common or rare name?
Lillith is an uncommon name, ranked #2224 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Lillith

Lillith is a girl name with Hebrew, American, Gothic, and Pagan origins . The name means "of the night, night creature" in Hebrew/Akkadian .

Lillith is currently ranked #2,224 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Lillith has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Lillith include Lilli, Lily, Lillie, and Lillie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Lillith include Lillian, Lilly, Lilliana, Lillie, Lillianna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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