"of the night, night creature"
Lillith
The original rebel — Adam's first wife who refused to submit
Meaning & Origin
"screech owl (ancient folk etymology)"
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
Famous People Named Lillith
Lilith Sternin Fictional
Other
Iconic character from Frasier (1993-2004), portrayed by Bebe Neuwirth — a brilliant psychiatrist known for dry wit
Lilith (Jewish folklore) Fictional
Other
Adam's first wife in Jewish mystical tradition, who left Eden rather than submit; now a feminist archetype
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lillith
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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.