Home › Baby Names Directory › Lyric

Lyric

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEER-ik /ˈlɪr.ɪk/High

Meaning: From the English word lyric, ultimately from Greek lyrikos meaning singing to the lyre; used as a name evoking poetry, music, and artistic expressionHigh

In 30 seconds: A musical word-name, Lyric brings poetic and artistic energy to any bearer. Its two syllables flow naturally and it has risen sharply among creative-minded parents.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighEnglish, Greek
MeaningFrom the English word lyric, ultimately from Greek lyrikos meaning singing to the lyre; used as a name evoking poetry, music, and artistic expression
U.S. rank (2025)#640 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births451 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 20,869

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201419452025

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

History & Origin

Lyric crossed from vocabulary into the baby-name lexicon in the late 20th century, part of the broader word-name movement that also elevated names like Harmony, Melody, and Story. The English word lyric traces back through Latin lyricus to Greek lyrikos, relating to the lyre, the stringed instrument central to ancient Greek music and poetry.

Lyric entered U.S. name charts in the 1990s and climbed steadily into the top 200 for girls by the 2010s. It also appears in moderate use for boys, making it lightly unisex, though female usage dominates. The name fits the contemporary preference for names that are both meaningful and melodic, and its built-in musical connotation appeals across cultural backgrounds.

Did you know? In ancient Greece, lyric poetry was literally sung to the accompaniment of the lyre — so choosing this name is a direct nod to one of humanity's oldest art forms.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Lyric — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LyricaLyrik

Nicknames

Lyri

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lyric…

Melody— fellow musical word-name with the same artistic, feminine appeal
Harmony— shares the music-inspired word-name category and similar sound values
Aria— another music-adjacent name with an airy, two-syllable cadence
Cadence— musical word-name with the same rhythmic, creative energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lyric mean?

Lyric means of the lyre or songlike, from the Greek lyrikos. It evokes poetry, music, and artistic expression.

How do you pronounce Lyric?

It is said LEER-ik /ˈlɪr.ɪk/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Lyric a popular name?

Yes — Lyric has been a top-200 girls' name in the U.S. since the 2010s and continues to rise among music- and art-loving parents.

Is Lyric a boy or girl name?

Lyric is used mostly for girls but also appears for boys, making it lightly unisex.