The nameLillian

Lillian is an English girl's name linked to the lily, or a pet form of Elizabeth. It was in the American top ten around 1900.

Meaning

Lillian is usually linked to the lily, a symbol of purity, and may also come from Lily or Lilly, pet forms of Elizabeth.

Origin

English.

History

Lillian was in the American top ten from 1898 to 1901 and in the top 100 until 1940. It came back in the 2000s and has been in the top 100 since 2002.

Famous people named Lillian

Popularity of the name Lillian

Lillian in the United States

54thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1920peak year (10,075 births)
472,453babies named Lillian in the United States since 1880
05,03810,075 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Lillian was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 83,491 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Lillian. Its rise began around 1884, and it peaked in 1920. Half of all babies named Lillian in the United States were born before 1931, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 4,184 births a year on average, against 5,981 in the five years before.

Lillian in the United Kingdom

370thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2017peak year (186 births)
3,400babies named Lillian in the United Kingdom since 1997
093186 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Lillian was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,548 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Lillian. Half of all babies named Lillian in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 134 births a year on average, against 166 in the five years before.

Lillian in Ireland

416thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2008peak year (21 births)
501babies named Lillian in Ireland since 1964
01121 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Lillian in Norway

292ndmost popular girls' name in Norway in 2025
1946peak year (167 births)
5,281babies named Lillian in Norway since 1945
084167 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Lillian

Names from the same generation as Lillian, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Lillian? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Lillian with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Lillian side by side with the name of your choice.

Lillian in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Lillian mean?

Lillian is usually linked to the lily, a symbol of purity, and may also come from Lily or Lilly, pet forms of Elizabeth.

What is the origin of the name Lillian?

English.

Is Lillian a girl's or a boy's name?

Lillian is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Lillian?

In 2024, Lillian was the 54th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,882 births.

What are the variants of the name Lillian?

Variants and related names of Lillian include Elizabeth and Liliana.

What are good sibling names for Lillian?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Audrey, Peyton, Serenity and Leah for a sister, Jackson, Landon, Colton and Jeremiah for a brother.

Who are famous people named Lillian?

Lillian Gish, actress; Lillian Hellman, playwright; Lillian Gilbreth, engineer and psychologist.