The nameLily
Lily is a girl's name taken from the flower, a symbol of purity. It is one of the most popular girls' names in England and Wales.
- Girl's name
- English
Meaning
Lily is the English name of the lily flower, from the Latin lilium. In Christian tradition, the white lily is a symbol of purity associated with the Virgin Mary.
Origin
English. Lily was first a pet form of Elizabeth, then became a flower name in the 19th century, alongside Rose and Daisy.
History
Lily was fashionable in Victorian Britain, then came back strongly in the 2000s. In England and Wales it has been second among girls' names in recent years, and it is in the American top 30. Lily Potter, mother of Harry Potter, also helped.
Lily in other languages
Lily is also spelled Lilly. It is Lili in French, German and Hungarian, and Lilia in Italian and Russian. Besides the flower, Lily began as a pet form of Elizabeth.
Nicknames for Lily
The most common nicknames for Lily: Lil.
Famous people named Lily
- Lily Allen, singer
- Lily James, actress
- Lily Collins, actress
- Lily Potter, Harry Potter character
Popularity of the name Lily
Lily in the United States
Lily was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 68,345 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Lily. Its rise began around 1995, and it peaked in 2011. Half of all babies named Lily in the United States were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 5,831 births a year.
Lily in the United Kingdom
Lily was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 35,400 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Lily. Half of all babies named Lily in the United Kingdom were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,548 births a year.
Lily in Ireland
Lily in France
Lily in Belgium
Lily in Switzerland
Lily in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Lily
Names from the same generation as Lily, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Lily? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Lily with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Lily side by side with the name of your choice.
Lily in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lily mean?
Lily is the English name of the lily flower, from the Latin lilium. In Christian tradition, the white lily is a symbol of purity associated with the Virgin Mary.
What is the origin of the name Lily?
English. Lily was first a pet form of Elizabeth, then became a flower name in the 19th century, alongside Rose and Daisy.
Is Lily a girl's or a boy's name?
Lily is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Lily?
In 2024, Lily was the 24th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 6,093 births.
What are the variants of the name Lily?
Variants and related names of Lily include Elizabeth, Lila and Lilly.
What are good sibling names for Lily?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ruby, Ella, Leah and Sophie for a sister, Jackson, Cooper, Parker and Wyatt for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Lily?
The most common nicknames for Lily are Lil.
Who are famous people named Lily?
Lily Allen, singer; Lily James, actress; Lily Collins, actress; Lily Potter, Harry Potter character.