Tilia

♀ Girl

Pronounced TIL-ee-uh /ˈtɪl.i.ə/Medium

Meaning: Tilia is the Latin botanical name for the lime or linden tree — a genus of broad, heart-leaved trees long planted along European avenues and prized for their fragrant summer flowers. Used as a given name it is a straightforward botanical pick; it also reads as a short form of names like Ottilia.Medium

In 30 seconds: A tree name: Tilia is the botanical genus of the lime or linden (said 'TIL-ee-uh'). Soft, green and unusual.

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Origin MediumLatin

MeaningTilia is the Latin botanical name for the lime or linden tree — a genus of broad, heart-leaved trees long planted along European avenues and prized for their fragrant summer flowers. Used as a given name it is a straightforward botanical pick; it also reads as a short form of names like Ottilia.

U.S. rank (2023)#11080 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 122

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Tilia is the Latin genus name for the lime or linden tree, a heart-leaved giant known for its honey-scented flowers. Its use as a given name belongs to the modern botanical-name trend, and it also serves as a short form of Ottilia. We state the plant origin plainly (said 'TIL-ee-uh').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, botanical, and soft-edged.

Did you know? Tilia is the scientific name of the linden — the tree whose blossom is dried for tea and whose avenues line old European streets. As a name it is a plain botanical borrowing, which we state simply (said 'TIL-ee-uh').

Overall data confidence 58%

References — Tilia — Latin botanical genus (lime/linden); also short for Ottilia

Variations

TilliaTyliaOttilia

Nicknames

TillyLiaTil

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tilia…

Ottilie— the longer name Tilia can shorten from

Lilia— a like soft three-beat botanical sound

Amelia— a like flowing -lia ending

Olive— a like plain plant name

Explore names like Tilia

By themelatin nature soft botanical

By meaningFlower Gift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tilia mean?

Tilia is the Latin botanical genus of the lime or linden tree; as a name it is a plain botanical borrowing.

How do you pronounce Tilia?

It's said TIL-ee-uh /ˈtɪl.i.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tilia a boy or girl name?

Tilia is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Tilia?

Tilia is a rare name for girls in the U.S.