Lilian Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Lilian Name Meaning

Fact: The name Lilian first became popular in the 1700s due to the French colonial expansion.

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A Deep Dive

Lilian Overview

Meaning

Lily flower, purity

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word “Lilium,” meaning “lily.” The name has been used since the 16th century, often as a form of Lily or as a pet name for Elizabeth.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɪl.i.ən/

Popularity

Lilian is favored in English-speaking countries and has seen steady use. In the USA, it ranked #557 for girls in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Vintage, Classic, Cool

Associated Traits

Graceful, elegant, classic, refined

Name Day

January 20th, July 27th (France)
A Deep Dive

Lilian Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Lillian, Liliana, Lilliana, Lilianna, Liliane, Lilliane, Lillia, Lily, Lilianne, Lilliann

Common Nicknames

Lily, Lili, Lila, Lia, Lils, Lil, Lee, Ana, Ann, Lilie

Diminutives

Lil, Lili, Lina, Lila, Lilie

Famous People

  • Lilian Gish
    (American Actress)
  • Lilian Jackson Braun
    (American Author)
  • Lilian Thuram
    (French Footballer)
  • Lilian Harvey
    (British-German Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Lilian Luthor
    ("Supergirl," TV Series)
  • Lilian Voss
    ("World of Warcraft," Video Game)

Places

  • Lilian Lake
    (Alberta, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Lilian?

Lilian means “purity” or “lily flower” a flower that symbolizes purity, beauty, and innocence.

What Is the Origin of The Name Lilian?

The name Lilian has origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word “lilium,” meaning “lily,” and became popular in English-speaking countries.

Lilian Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Lilian in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#6372021#5762022#5572023
Top 3 Rankings#3601882#3751880#4162007

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Lilian

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023557
(+19 from 2022)
541
(+23 from 2022)
0.03093
2022576
(+61 from 2021)
518
(+54 from 2021)
0.02889
2021637
(+19 from 2020)
464
(+25 from 2020)
0.02590
2020656
(-54 from 2019)
439
(-62 from 2019)
0.02483
2019602
(+10 from 2018)
501
(+7 from 2018)
0.02730
2018612
(-24 from 2017)
494
(-14 from 2017)
0.02656
2017588
(-31 from 2016)
508
(-52 from 2016)
0.02689
2016557
(-60 from 2015)
560
(-81 from 2015)
0.02893
2015497
(+7 from 2014)
641
(+22 from 2014)
0.03286
2014504
(-9 from 2013)
619
(+14 from 2013)
0.03164
2013495
(-32 from 2012)
605
(-70 from 2012)
0.03138
2012463
(-1 from 2011)
675
(+30 from 2011)
0.03480
2011462
(-9 from 2010)
645
(-36 from 2010)
0.03329
2010453
(-17 from 2009)
681
(-47 from 2009)
0.03473
2009436
(-1 from 2008)
728
(-2 from 2008)
0.03595
2008435
(-19 from 2007)
730
(-56 from 2007)
0.03505
2007416
(+24 from 2006)
786
(+62 from 2006)
0.03714
2006440
(+34 from 2005)
724
(+74 from 2005)
0.03463
2005474
(+52 from 2004)
650
(+109 from 2004)
0.03203
2004526
(+30 from 2003)
541
(+44 from 2003)
0.02681
2003556
(+32 from 2002)
497
(+58 from 2002)
0.02477
2002588
(+104 from 2001)
439
(+80 from 2001)
0.02223
2001692
(+16 from 2000)
359
(+31 from 2000)
0.01812
2000708
(+110 from 1999)
328
(+63 from 1999)
0.01643
1999818
(-13 from 1998)
265
(+1 from 1998)
0.01361
1998805
(+125 from 1997)
264
(+51 from 1997)
0.01362
1997930
(+80 from 1996)
213
(+27 from 1996)
0.01116
19961010
(+143 from 1995)
186
(+35 from 1995)
0.00970
19951153
(+71 from 1994)
151
(+8 from 1994)
0.00786
19941224
(-81 from 1993)
143
(-12 from 1993)
0.00734
19931143
(+162 from 1992)
155
(+26 from 1992)
0.00786
19921305
(-203 from 1991)
129
(-34 from 1991)
0.00643
19911102
(+66 from 1990)
163
(+16 from 1990)
0.00802
19901168
(+323 from 1989)
147
(+50 from 1989)
0.00716
19891491
(-82 from 1988)
97
(-2 from 1988)
0.00487
19881409
(+50 from 1987)
99
(+10 from 1987)
0.00515
19871459
(+357 from 1986)
89
(+27 from 1986)
0.00475
19861816
(-89 from 1985)
62
(-4 from 1985)
0.00336
19851727
(-111 from 1984)
66
(-2 from 1984)
0.00357
19841616
(+154 from 1983)
68
(+8 from 1983)
0.00377
19831770
(+80 from 1982)
60
(+2 from 1982)
0.00335
19821850
(-117 from 1981)
58
(-7 from 1981)
0.00320
19811733
(+248 from 1980)
65
(+12 from 1980)
0.00363
19801981
(-29 from 1979)
53
No change from 1979
0.00298
19791952
(-37 from 1978)
53
(+2 from 1978)
0.00308
19781915
(+342 from 1977)
51
(+11 from 1977)
0.00310
19772257
(-417 from 1976)
40
(-10 from 1976)
0.00243
19761840
(+220 from 1975)
50
(+8 from 1975)
0.00318
19752060
(-497 from 1974)
42
(-19 from 1974)
0.00269
19741563
(+190 from 1973)
61
(+11 from 1973)
0.00389
19731753
(+102 from 1972)
50
(+5 from 1972)
0.00322
19721855
(+251 from 1971)
45
(+6 from 1971)
0.00279
19712106
(-120 from 1970)
39
(-3 from 1970)
0.00223
19701986
(+17 from 1969)
42
(+3 from 1969)
0.00229
19692003
(-65 from 1968)
39
(+1 from 1968)
0.00221
19681938
(+43 from 1967)
38
(+3 from 1967)
0.00222
19671981
(+1 from 1966)
35
(+1 from 1966)
0.00204
19661982
(+172 from 1965)
34
(+4 from 1965)
0.00194
19652154
(+376 from 1964)
30
(+6 from 1964)
0.00164
19642530
(+90 from 1963)
24
(+2 from 1963)
0.00123
19632620
(-206 from 1962)
22
(-3 from 1962)
0.00111
19622414
(-116 from 1961)
25
(-2 from 1961)
0.00123
19612298
(-535 from 1960)
27
(-14 from 1960)
0.00130
19601763
(+292 from 1959)
41
(+11 from 1959)
0.00197
19592055
(+113 from 1958)
30
(+3 from 1958)
0.00144
19582168
(+248 from 1957)
27
(+5 from 1957)
0.00131
19572416
(+310 from 1956)
22
(+4 from 1956)
0.00105
19562726
(-173 from 1955)
18
(-1 from 1955)
0.00087
19552553
(+335 from 1954)
19
(+4 from 1954)
0.00095
19542888
(-372 from 1953)
15
(-3 from 1953)
0.00075
19532516
(+1607 from 1952)
18
(+10 from 1952)
0.00093
19524123
(-1732 from 1951)
8
(-10 from 1951)
0.00042
19512391
(+261 from 1950)
18
(+3 from 1950)
0.00097
19502652
(-138 from 1949)
15
(-1 from 1949)
0.00085
19492514
(+623 from 1948)
16
(+5 from 1948)
0.00091
19483137
(-991 from 1947)
11
(-10 from 1947)
0.00063
19472146
(+734 from 1946)
21
(+9 from 1946)
0.00116
19462880
(+36 from 1945)
12
(+2 from 1945)
0.00074
19452916
(-820 from 1944)
10
(-7 from 1944)
0.00074
19442096
(-196 from 1943)
17
(-4 from 1943)
0.00124
19431900
(+516 from 1942)
21
(+7 from 1942)
0.00146
19422416
(-534 from 1941)
14
(-5 from 1941)
0.00101
19411882
(+416 from 1940)
19
(+6 from 1940)
0.00152
19402298
(+2 from 1939)
13
No change from 1939
0.00110
19392300
(+881 from 1938)
13
(+5 from 1938)
0.00115
19383181
(-35 from 1937)
8
No change from 1937
0.00070
19373146
(-1273 from 1936)
8
(-9 from 1936)
0.00073
19361873
(+333 from 1935)
17
(+3 from 1935)
0.00158
19352206
(-202 from 1934)
14
(-2 from 1934)
0.00129
19342004
(-452 from 1933)
16
(-7 from 1933)
0.00148
19331552
(-206 from 1932)
23
(-7 from 1932)
0.00220
19321346
(+203 from 1931)
30
(+6 from 1931)
0.00271
19311549
(+266 from 1930)
24
(+4 from 1930)
0.00217
19301815
(+283 from 1929)
20
(+4 from 1929)
0.00171
19292098
(-732 from 1928)
16
(-16 from 1928)
0.00138
19281366
(+90 from 1927)
32
(+1 from 1927)
0.00268
19271456
(-377 from 1926)
31
(-17 from 1926)
0.00251
19261079
(+193 from 1925)
48
(+10 from 1925)
0.00390
19251272
(-45 from 1924)
38
(-4 from 1924)
0.00301
19241227
(-162 from 1923)
42
(-9 from 1923)
0.00324
19231065
(-103 from 1922)
51
(-9 from 1922)
0.00407
1922962
(+55 from 1921)
60
(+6 from 1921)
0.00481
19211017
(-210 from 1920)
54
(-27 from 1920)
0.00422
1920807
(+43 from 1919)
81
(+14 from 1919)
0.00651
1919850
(-148 from 1918)
67
(-38 from 1918)
0.00570
1918702
(+86 from 1917)
105
(+28 from 1917)
0.00873
1917788
(-56 from 1916)
77
(-8 from 1916)
0.00685
1916732
(+29 from 1915)
85
(+10 from 1915)
0.00783
1915761
(+37 from 1914)
75
(+22 from 1914)
0.00733
1914798
(-97 from 1913)
53
(-2 from 1913)
0.00665
1913701
(-12 from 1912)
55
(+2 from 1912)
0.00840
1912689
(+52 from 1911)
53
(+19 from 1911)
0.00903
1911741
(-4 from 1910)
34
(+1 from 1910)
0.00770
1910737
(-6 from 1909)
33
(+3 from 1909)
0.00787
1909731
(-53 from 1908)
30
(-2 from 1908)
0.00815
1908678
(+24 from 1907)
32
(+3 from 1907)
0.00903
1907702
(-13 from 1906)
29
(+1 from 1906)
0.00859
1906689
(-25 from 1905)
28
No change from 1905
0.00893
1905664
(-11 from 1904)
28
No change from 1904
0.00904
1904653
(-114 from 1903)
28
(-8 from 1903)
0.00957
1903539
(+279 from 1902)
36
(+18 from 1902)
0.01294
1902818
(-159 from 1901)
18
(-5 from 1901)
0.00642
1901659
(-20 from 1900)
23
(-7 from 1900)
0.00905
1900639
(+89 from 1899)
30
(+11 from 1899)
0.00944
1899728
(-173 from 1898)
19
(-14 from 1898)
0.00768
1898555
(+39 from 1897)
33
(+7 from 1897)
0.01204
1897594
(-116 from 1896)
26
(-11 from 1896)
0.01047
1896478
(-41 from 1895)
37
(-5 from 1895)
0.01468
1895437
(+191 from 1894)
42
(+20 from 1894)
0.01700
1894628
(-108 from 1893)
22
(-6 from 1893)
0.00932
1893520
(+45 from 1892)
28
(+4 from 1892)
0.01243
1892565
(-82 from 1891)
24
(-4 from 1891)
0.01067
1891483
(+87 from 1890)
28
(+7 from 1890)
0.01424
1890570
(-140 from 1889)
21
(-10 from 1889)
0.01041
1889430
(+103 from 1888)
31
(+9 from 1888)
0.01638
1888533
(+27 from 1887)
22
(+6 from 1887)
0.01161
1887560
(-121 from 1886)
16
(-8 from 1886)
0.01029
1886439
(+7 from 1885)
24
(+2 from 1885)
0.01561
1885446
(-21 from 1884)
22
No change from 1884
0.01550
1884425
(+40 from 1883)
22
(+5 from 1883)
0.01599
1883465
(-105 from 1882)
17
(-7 from 1882)
0.01416
1882360
(+58 from 1881)
24
(+8 from 1881)
0.02074
1881418
(-43 from 1880)
16
(-3 from 1880)
0.01619
1880375
First SSA data recorded
19
First SSA data recorded
0.01947

American States Popularity Rankings for Lilian

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#5952021#6292022#5742023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5382021#4872022#5282023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#6942021#6932022#6632023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5982021#5632022#4622023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#7562021#6772022#5932023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#9052021#6942022#6112023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#6442021#6972022#6072023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#6212021#4592022#4682023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#6822021#6822022#7182023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5142021#7752022#8492023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5312021#6112022#3412023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#6242021#6652022#5292023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#9082021#5132022#7932023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#7872021#8662022#5912023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#8112021#5362022#3572023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#5192021#5312022#6112023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#6512021#5892022#5392023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5092021#3602022#3892023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#6742021#3932022#5852023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4202021#6172022#5212023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#10672021#7332022#6882023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5472021#3832022#5412023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6742021#5032022#4292023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6702020#6122021#5102022

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5392021#5452022#5492023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4812018#3502019#5562022

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#8012020#5922022#5142023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3052021#5692022#6362023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#7502021#7402022#4872023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#8012020#5002022#5442023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#8972017#8932018#9622022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5242016#5052018#3482023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4922016#4682018#3422021

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5552021#5282022#5252023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3432016#5232022#3182023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3902013#3482014#2652015

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2392008#2542009#2512015

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2652008#2452015#2382022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5692007#6332015#6122018

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#3001985#2672013#2852015

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2682006#2562007#2492015

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1352008#2252010

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2502010#2352012

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1062007

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2102012

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2272005

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4472013

Popularity Rankings for Lilian in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#121XXXX

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1701982#2001984#1991988

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1771993#1811994#1851996

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#2002006

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2322022#2812023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2762021#2802022#3642023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4062020#3782021#3432022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4572021#6092022#3642023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4612017#4192018#4602023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4361980#4721981#4822023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4372017#4962018#6032019

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4452020#9952021#5602022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#7502016#5122018#5552023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#6412019#5452020#6162021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8692017#8762018#7562019

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Lilian a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Lilian is considered a girl’s name, with soft and elegant sound, along with its floral meaning.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Lilian

Lilian in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Lilian Gish (Actress, 1893–1993): An iconic American actress of the silent film era, celebrated for her extensive career in film and theater.
  • Lilian Jackson Braun (Author, 1913–2011): An American author best known for her "The Cat Who..." mystery series.
  • Lilian Thuram (Footballer, 1972): A retired French footballer who played as a defender for top clubs and the French national team.
  • Lilian Harvey (Actress, 1906–1968): A British-German actress and singer who starred in many films during the 1930s.
  • Lilian Luthor ("Supergirl," 2015 TV Series): The mother of Lex Luthor and a character who plays a crucial role in the series.
  • Lilian Voss ("World of Warcraft", 2004 Video Game): A powerful undead character who seeks vengeance against the Scarlet Crusade.
  • Lilian Lake (Alberta, Canada): A scenic lake located in Kananaskis Country, known for hiking, fishing, and stunning natural beauty.

Similar Names to Lilian

Sibling Names for Lilian