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Lilith

♀ Girl

Pronounced LIL-ith /ˈlɪl.ɪθ/High

Meaning: Night creature; of the night; from Hebrew lilit or Akkadian lilitu (of the night, storm demon)High

In 30 seconds: A darkly fascinating name from Hebrew and Akkadian mythology, meaning 'night creature.' In legend, Lilith was Adam's first wife — fiercely independent and wild. Its gothic, ethereal edge has made it a rising modern name.
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Origin HighHebrew, Akkadian
MeaningNight creature; of the night; from Hebrew lilit or Akkadian lilitu (of the night, storm demon)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,128

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719132017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Lilith derives from the Hebrew לִילִית (Lilit) or related Akkadian lilitu, referring to a night demon or spirit. The name appears once in the Hebrew Bible (Isaiah 34:14) as a night creature in the wilderness. In later Jewish folk tradition (the Alphabet of Ben Sira), Lilith became identified as Adam's first wife who left the Garden of Eden. The name relates to the Hebrew layil ('night').

Lilith has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since at least the 19th century, particularly in literary and artistic circles. It rose significantly in the 21st century as parents embraced names with gothic, mythological, and feminist undertones. It is now a top-200 U.S. girls' name and was the title of a popular music festival (Lilith Fair, 1997–1999).

Did you know? In Jewish medieval folklore, Lilith was portrayed as Adam's first wife who refused to be subservient and left Eden — making her one of the oldest symbols of female independence in Western culture.

Variations

LilitaLilyLila

Nicknames

LilLily

Famous Bearers

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If you like Lilith…

Luna— moon name with the same night associations but a softer feel
Aurora— similarly luminous mythological name at the opposite end of the dawn/night spectrum

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lilith mean?

Lilith means 'night creature' or 'of the night,' from Hebrew lilit and Akkadian lilitu. In Jewish folklore, Lilith was Adam's first wife.

How do you pronounce Lilith?

Lilith is pronounced LIL-ith (/ˈlɪl.ɪθ/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Lilith a boy or girl name?

Lilith is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Lilith?

Lilith has been climbing the U.S. charts since the 2010s and is now a top-200 girls' name, rising on the wave of mythological and gothic-chic names.