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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lilja

Lilja

♀ Girl

Pronounced LIL-yah /ˈlɪl.jɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Scandinavian/Icelandic Lilja — 'a lily' (the flower, a symbol of purity)Medium

In 30 seconds: A lily: Lilja is Scandinavian for 'a lily'. Lyrical, nature-sweet, and warm (said 'LIL-yah').
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Origin MediumScandinavian
MeaningFrom the Scandinavian/Icelandic Lilja — 'a lily' (the flower, a symbol of purity)
U.S. rank (2025)#9219 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 272

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419982025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lilja is the Scandinavian and Icelandic form of Lily — 'a lily' (the flower, long a symbol of purity and renewal). It is also the title of a famous medieval Icelandic poem. A lyrical, nature-sweet name across the Nordic countries (said 'LIL-yah'; nickname Lilja).

In the U.S. it appears in Scandinavian families. Rare, a-lily at the root, and nature-sweet.

Did you know? Lilja means 'a lily' in the Scandinavian languages and Icelandic (the flower, a symbol of purity) — a lyrical, nature-sweet name (said 'LIL-yah').
Overall data confidence 65%
Behind the Name — Lilja — root etymology

Variations

LilyLillyLilia

Nicknames

Lil

Famous Bearers

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If you like Lilja…

Lily— the English form
Lilia— a fellow lily-root girls' name
Freja— a companion Scandinavian girls' name
Saga— another Scandinavian girls' name

Explore names like Lilja

By themescandinaviannature-nameicelandic
By meaningFlowerPurity

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lilja mean?

Lilja is Scandinavian/Icelandic for 'a lily'.

How do you pronounce Lilja?

It's said LIL-yah /ˈlɪl.jɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lilja a boy or girl name?

Lilja is a girl's name.

How popular is Lilja?

Lilja is a rare name in the U.S.

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