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Lillian

♀ Girl

Pronounced LIL-ee-un /ˈlɪliən/High

Meaning: Lily flower; purity — from Latin lilium (lily), via the name LilyHigh

In 30 seconds: A graceful Latin floral name meaning 'lily,' and the formal counterpart to Lily. Lillian was a top-10 name in the early 1900s and has made a strong vintage comeback.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningLily flower; purity — from Latin lilium (lily), via the name Lily
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 439,193

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192018802017

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

History & Origin

Lillian is an elaborated form of Lily, derived from the Latin lilium, the lily flower. The lily has been a symbol of purity and innocence in Christian art, associated with the Virgin Mary and the resurrection. The elaborated form Lillian emerged in the 18th century as a way to make the flower name feel more formal and substantial.

Lillian was enormously popular in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ranking in the top 10 from about 1895 to 1920. It declined through the mid-20th century but staged a comeback from the 1990s onward. By the 2010s it was back in the top 50, riding the vintage name revival alongside Violet, Hazel, and Iris.

Did you know? Lillian was a favorite on the stage in the early 20th century — actress Lillian Gish (1893–1993) was one of the great stars of the silent film era, keeping the name glamorous for generations.

Variations

LilyLillieLilianLiliana

Nicknames

LilyLilLillie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Lillian Gish (1893–1993)
    American actress considered one of the great stars of the silent film era.

If you like Lillian…

Lily— the shorter, more direct form of the same floral name
Violet— floral vintage-revival girls' name climbing the charts at the same time
Eleanor— long, formal vintage classic in the same 1900s-revival wave

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lillian mean?

Lillian is a Latin-rooted floral name meaning 'lily,' a flower symbolizing purity and innocence — an elaborated form of Lily.

How do you pronounce Lillian?

It's said LIL-ee-un /ˈlɪliən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lillian a boy or girl name?

Lillian is used exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Lillian?

Lillian ranked in the U.S. top 10 in the early 1900s, declined, and has made a strong vintage comeback to the top 50.