Lily Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Lily Name Meaning

Fact: Famous characters named Lily include Lily Potter from the “Harry Potter” series and Lily Aldrin from “How I Met Your Mother.”

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Lily Overview

Meaning

Lily flower, pure

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin “lilium,” referring to the lily flower.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈlɪli/

Popularity

Consistently popular, often ranking within the top 30 names for girls in the U.S. over the past decade.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

22 (Influential, Visionary, Powerful)

Name Styles

Nature-inspired, Popular, Cute, Classic

Associated Traits

Purity, beauty, and innocence

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Widely recognized in Christian traditions, where it symbolizes purity and has been associated with the Virgin Mary.
A Deep Dive

Lily Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Liliana, Lillian, Lilias, Lilian, Liliane, Lillia, Lilienne, Liliya, Liliet, Lilibet

Common Nicknames

Lilybug, Lulu, Lillie, Lilou, Leelee, Lolly

Diminutives

Lil, Lils, Lilou, Lili, Lilo

Famous People

  • Lily Tomlin
    (American Actress, Comedian)
  • Lily Allen
    (British Singer-Songwriter)
  • Lily James
    (British Actress)
  • Lily Collins
    (American Actress)
  • Lily Rabe
    (American Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Lily Aldrin
    ("How I Met Your Mother," TV Show)
  • Lily Owens
    ("The Secret Life of Bees," Film)
  • Lily Potter
    (Harry Potter Series, Books and Films)
  • Lily Munster
    ("The Munsters," TV Series)
  • Lily
    ("Modern Family," TV Series)

Places

  • Lily Lake Village
    (Illinois, USA)
  • Lily Bay State Park
    (Maine, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Lily?

The name Lily means “lily flower,” or “pure” and symbolizes innocence. The name is simple and elegant, reflecting the delicate nature of the flower it is named after.

What Is the Origin of The Name Lily?

The name Lily comes from Latin, derived from the word “lilium,” which means “lily flower.” This name has been used for centuries and is popular in many cultures, especially in Christian traditions.

Lily Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#312021#302022#202023
Top 3 Rankings#152011#162012#172010

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Lily

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202320
(+10 from 2022)
6146
(+151 from 2022)
0.35136
202230
(+1 from 2021)
5995
(+370 from 2021)
0.33434
202131
(+4 from 2020)
5625
(+380 from 2020)
0.31397
202035
(-1 from 2019)
5245
(-212 from 2019)
0.29671
201934
(-3 from 2018)
5457
(-292 from 2018)
0.29740
201831
(+2 from 2017)
5749
(-109 from 2017)
0.30914
201733
(-9 from 2016)
5858
(-750 from 2016)
0.31009
201624
(+1 from 2015)
6608
(-68 from 2015)
0.34134
201525
(+2 from 2014)
6676
(-108 from 2014)
0.34221
201427
No change from 2013
6784
(-217 from 2013)
0.34677
201327
(-11 from 2012)
7001
(-966 from 2012)
0.36318
201216
(-1 from 2011)
7967
(-225 from 2011)
0.41078
201115
(+2 from 2010)
8192
(+201 from 2010)
0.42277
201017
(+1 from 2009)
7991
(-110 from 2009)
0.40756
200918
(+6 from 2008)
8101
(-25 from 2008)
0.40003
200824
(+3 from 2007)
8126
(+627 from 2007)
0.39013
200727
(+6 from 2006)
7499
(+731 from 2006)
0.35431
200633
(+6 from 2005)
6768
(+679 from 2005)
0.32375
200539
(+14 from 2004)
6089
(+687 from 2004)
0.30001
200453
(+16 from 2003)
5402
(+968 from 2003)
0.26772
200369
(+10 from 2002)
4434
(+600 from 2002)
0.22099
200279
(+24 from 2001)
3834
(+638 from 2001)
0.19413
2001103
(+21 from 2000)
3196
(+463 from 2000)
0.16134
2000124
(+28 from 1999)
2733
(+610 from 1999)
0.13694
1999152
(+17 from 1998)
2123
(+371 from 1998)
0.10905
1998169
(+50 from 1997)
1752
(+397 from 1997)
0.09038
1997219
(+42 from 1996)
1355
(+264 from 1996)
0.07097
1996261
(+59 from 1995)
1091
(+238 from 1995)
0.05690
1995320
(+70 from 1994)
853
(+205 from 1994)
0.04439
1994390
(+59 from 1993)
648
(+91 from 1993)
0.03324
1993449
(+24 from 1992)
557
(+34 from 1992)
0.02825
1992473
(+28 from 1991)
523
(+50 from 1991)
0.02609
1991501
(+83 from 1990)
473
(+77 from 1990)
0.02326
1990584
(-38 from 1989)
396
(-20 from 1989)
0.01928
1989546
(-1 from 1988)
416
(+15 from 1988)
0.02088
1988545
(+78 from 1987)
401
(+92 from 1987)
0.02085
1987623
(+10 from 1986)
309
(+17 from 1986)
0.01649
1986633
(+78 from 1985)
292
(+49 from 1985)
0.01582
1985711
(+19 from 1984)
243
(+19 from 1984)
0.01316
1984730
(+44 from 1983)
224
(+18 from 1983)
0.01242
1983774
(+9 from 1982)
206
(-2 from 1982)
0.01151
1982783
(-42 from 1981)
208
(-15 from 1981)
0.01146
1981741
(+94 from 1980)
223
(+36 from 1980)
0.01247
1980835
(+129 from 1979)
187
(+37 from 1979)
0.01050
1979964
(+186 from 1978)
150
(+39 from 1978)
0.00870
19781150
(+9 from 1977)
111
(+4 from 1977)
0.00675
19771159
(-210 from 1976)
107
(-27 from 1976)
0.00650
1976949
(+49 from 1975)
134
(+12 from 1975)
0.00852
1975998
(+91 from 1974)
122
(+15 from 1974)
0.00782
19741089
(+15 from 1973)
107
(+5 from 1973)
0.00683
19731104
(-203 from 1972)
102
(-37 from 1972)
0.00656
1972901
(+112 from 1971)
139
(+17 from 1971)
0.00862
19711013
(-16 from 1970)
122
(-3 from 1970)
0.00696
1970997
(+6 from 1969)
125
(+9 from 1969)
0.00682
19691003
(+53 from 1968)
116
(+17 from 1968)
0.00658
19681056
(+3 from 1967)
99
(+3 from 1967)
0.00579
19671059
(-99 from 1966)
96
(-16 from 1966)
0.00559
1966960
(+119 from 1965)
112
(+18 from 1965)
0.00638
19651079
(-175 from 1964)
94
(-39 from 1964)
0.00514
1964904
(+49 from 1963)
133
(+10 from 1963)
0.00679
1963953
(+19 from 1962)
123
(+3 from 1962)
0.00619
1962972
(-16 from 1961)
120
(-8 from 1961)
0.00592
1961956
(-10 from 1960)
128
(+1 from 1960)
0.00616
1960946
(-17 from 1959)
127
No change from 1959
0.00611
1959929
(-96 from 1958)
127
(-22 from 1958)
0.00611
1958833
(-1 from 1957)
149
No change from 1957
0.00721
1957832
(-50 from 1956)
149
(-10 from 1956)
0.00710
1956782
(-44 from 1955)
159
(-6 from 1955)
0.00772
1955738
(+42 from 1954)
165
(+21 from 1954)
0.00823
1954780
(+26 from 1953)
144
(+14 from 1953)
0.00723
1953806
(-31 from 1952)
130
(-3 from 1952)
0.00674
1952775
(-17 from 1951)
133
(-2 from 1951)
0.00699
1951758
(-17 from 1950)
135
No change from 1950
0.00731
1950741
(+7 from 1949)
135
(+4 from 1949)
0.00768
1949748
(-40 from 1948)
131
(-8 from 1948)
0.00746
1948708
(+17 from 1947)
139
(+1 from 1947)
0.00798
1947725
(+7 from 1946)
138
(+16 from 1946)
0.00759
1946732
(-127 from 1945)
122
(-20 from 1945)
0.00756
1945605
(-13 from 1944)
142
(-12 from 1944)
0.01055
1944592
(+2 from 1943)
154
(-6 from 1943)
0.01127
1943594
(-32 from 1942)
160
(-13 from 1942)
0.01115
1942562
(-15 from 1941)
173
(+7 from 1941)
0.01244
1941547
(-40 from 1940)
166
(-20 from 1940)
0.01332
1940507
(+11 from 1939)
186
(+18 from 1939)
0.01574
1939518
(-43 from 1938)
168
(-27 from 1938)
0.01481
1938475
(+16 from 1937)
195
(+17 from 1937)
0.01708
1937491
(-42 from 1936)
178
(-24 from 1936)
0.01615
1936449
(-3 from 1935)
202
(-8 from 1935)
0.01875
1935446
(-5 from 1934)
210
(-6 from 1934)
0.01932
1934441
(-32 from 1933)
216
(-26 from 1933)
0.01996
1933409
(+10 from 1932)
242
(-3 from 1932)
0.02313
1932419
(-20 from 1931)
245
(-23 from 1931)
0.02215
1931399
(-10 from 1930)
268
(-37 from 1930)
0.02428
1930389
(-4 from 1929)
305
(+3 from 1929)
0.02615
1929385
(-15 from 1928)
302
(-43 from 1928)
0.02609
1928370
(-16 from 1927)
345
(-21 from 1927)
0.02886
1927354
(+8 from 1926)
366
(+22 from 1926)
0.02960
1926362
(-2 from 1925)
344
(-18 from 1925)
0.02796
1925360
(-28 from 1924)
362
(-47 from 1924)
0.02866
1924332
(-16 from 1923)
409
(-9 from 1923)
0.03157
1923316
(+1 from 1922)
418
No change from 1922
0.03337
1922317
(+9 from 1921)
418
(+11 from 1921)
0.03350
1921326
(+5 from 1920)
407
(+21 from 1920)
0.03180
1920331
(+1 from 1919)
386
(+18 from 1919)
0.03103
1919332
(-6 from 1918)
368
(-20 from 1918)
0.03133
1918326
(+20 from 1917)
388
(+58 from 1917)
0.03227
1917346
(-34 from 1916)
330
(-43 from 1916)
0.02937
1916312
(+8 from 1915)
373
(+30 from 1915)
0.03436
1915320
(+10 from 1914)
343
(+91 from 1914)
0.03350
1914330
No change from 1913
252
(+40 from 1913)
0.03163
1913330
(-39 from 1912)
212
(-33 from 1912)
0.03237
1912291
(+59 from 1911)
245
(+115 from 1911)
0.04176
1911350
(-40 from 1910)
130
(-24 from 1910)
0.02942
1910310
(+33 from 1909)
154
(+45 from 1909)
0.03671
1909343
(+14 from 1908)
109
(+7 from 1908)
0.02961
1908357
(-15 from 1907)
102
(-2 from 1907)
0.02877
1907342
(+34 from 1906)
104
(+22 from 1906)
0.03082
1906376
(-89 from 1905)
82
(-52 from 1905)
0.02616
1905287
(+30 from 1904)
134
(+29 from 1904)
0.04324
1904317
(+2 from 1903)
105
(+10 from 1903)
0.03591
1903319
(-4 from 1902)
95
(-4 from 1902)
0.03415
1902315
(+2 from 1901)
99
(+10 from 1901)
0.03532
1901317
(-26 from 1900)
89
(-37 from 1900)
0.03501
1900291
(-24 from 1899)
126
(+11 from 1899)
0.03966
1899267
(+58 from 1898)
115
(+23 from 1898)
0.04647
1898325
(-56 from 1897)
92
(-21 from 1897)
0.03356
1897269
(+22 from 1896)
113
(+13 from 1896)
0.04551
1896291
(-11 from 1895)
100
(-1 from 1895)
0.03968
1895280
(-17 from 1894)
101
(-7 from 1894)
0.04087
1894263
(+32 from 1893)
108
(+25 from 1893)
0.04577
1893295
(-29 from 1892)
83
(-15 from 1892)
0.03685
1892266
(+28 from 1891)
98
(+25 from 1891)
0.04357
1891294
(-40 from 1890)
73
(-23 from 1890)
0.03714
1890254
(+2 from 1889)
96
(+12 from 1889)
0.04760
1889256
(-27 from 1888)
84
(-18 from 1888)
0.04439
1888229
(+45 from 1887)
102
(+43 from 1887)
0.05384
1887274
(-37 from 1886)
59
(-16 from 1886)
0.03796
1886237
(-37 from 1885)
75
(-13 from 1885)
0.04879
1885200
(+52 from 1884)
88
(+28 from 1884)
0.06199
1884252
(-24 from 1883)
60
(-2 from 1883)
0.04361
1883228
(-14 from 1882)
62
(-1 from 1882)
0.05164
1882214
(+17 from 1881)
63
(+17 from 1881)
0.05445
1881231
(+9 from 1880)
46
(+5 from 1880)
0.04653
1880240
First SSA data recorded
41
First SSA data recorded
0.04201

American States Popularity Rankings for Lily

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#422021#332022#232023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#482021#442022#362023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#292021#272022#242023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#292021#282022#272023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#272021#212022#202023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#342021#242022#232023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#462021#422022#322023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#462021#252022#352023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#272021#202022#262023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#302021#212022#152023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#352021#282022#202023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#192021#282022#142023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#352021#282022#182023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#252021#172022#172023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#262021#232022#172023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#222021#182022#352023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#392021#362022#372023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#272021#312022#182023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#432021#392022#492023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#242021#222022#202023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#382021#362022#322023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#92021#92022#82023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#402021#192022#262023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#292021#602022#272023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#352021#252022#252023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#292021#282022#322023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#222021#172022#132023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#312021#262022#282023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#272021#152022#182023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#432021#202022#262023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#402021#362022#312023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#362021#312022#292023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#312021#182022#182023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#122021#92022#172023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#372021#332022#372023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#462021#242022#342023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#442021#542022#632023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#232021#402022#202023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#832021#342022#382023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#312021#182022#142023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#252021#402022#192023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#212021#162022#262023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#622021#1032022#482023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#302021#102022#232023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#532021#322022#192023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#292021#172022#492023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#622021#602022#482023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#152021#832022#242023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#722021#382022#172023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#422021#432022#92023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#262021#372022#212023

Popularity Rankings for Lily in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#92021#52022#52023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#72021#52022#72023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#142021#72022#62023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#152021#152022#72023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#92019#72020#72021

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#562008#92009#282015

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#112021#112022#112023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#152021#112022#112023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#162021#162022#16First half of 2023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#352020#382021#322022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#542022#402023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#482020#412021#402022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#672020#642021#752022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1202021#1402022#1052023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1382020#1292021#1102022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2052021#1862022#1572023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3262021

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

Is Lily a Name for Boys or Girls?

Lily is primarily a feminine given name as it has a soft and feminine sound.

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

Lily in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Lily Tomlin (Actress, Comedian, born 1939): An acclaimed American actress and comedian known for her roles in "Grace and Frankie" and "9 to 5".
  • Lily Allen (Singer-Songwriter, born 1985): A British pop singer known for her catchy tunes and poignant lyrics, notably in her debut album "Alright, Still".
  • Lily James (Actress, born 1989): British actress famous for her roles in "Cinderella" and "Downton Abbey".
  • Lily Collins (Actress, born 1989): Known for her roles in films like "Mirror Mirror" and the series "Emily in Paris".
  • Lily Rabe (Actress, born 1982): American actress best known for her multiple roles in the series "American Horror Story".
  • Lily Aldridge (Model, born 1985): American model noted for her work with Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated.
  • Lily Cole (Model, Actress, born 1987): English model and actress known for her distinctive features and roles in several indie films.
  • Lily LaBrant (YouTube Star, born 2006): Young internet personality from the famous LaBrant family.
  • Lily Gladstone (Actress, born 1986): Known for her roles in independent films like "Certain Women".
  • Lily Chee (Model, born 2003): Young model and actress known for her roles in "Daredevil" and "Sunset Park".
  • Lily Aldrin ("How I Met Your Mother," 2005 TV Series): A beloved character from the sitcom, known for her witty and vibrant personality.
  • Lily Owens ("The Secret Life of Bees," 2008 Film): The main character in both the novel and film, a young girl dealing with the loss of her mother.
  • Lily Potter (Harry Potter Series, 1997 Books and Films): The mother of Harry Potter, known for her loving nature and sacrificial protection of her son.
  • Lily Munster ("The Munsters," 1964 TV Series): A classic TV character from the sitcom about a family of friendly monsters.
  • Lily ("Modern Family," 2009 TV Series): The adopted daughter of Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker, known for her sharp quips.
  • Lily Sloane ("Star Trek: First Contact," 1996 Film): A key character who helps the crew of the Enterprise stop the Borg.
  • Lily Bart ("The House of Mirth," 1905 Novel and 2000 Film): The tragic heroine of Edith Wharton's novel, struggling with societal expectations.
  • Lily ("Kiki's Delivery Service," 1989 Film): A minor character in the Studio Ghibli film, a friend of the protagonist Kiki.
  • Lily Luna Potter (Harry Potter Series, 2007 Books): The youngest child of Harry Potter, named after her grandmother Lily Potter.
  • Lily Lake Village (Illinois, USA): A picturesque village in McHenry County, offering scenic views and a peaceful environment.
  • Lily Bay State Park (Maine, USA): A state park located on Moosehead Lake, popular for camping and water activities.

Similar Names to Lily

  • Susan
  • Susannah
  • Shoshana
  • Lilac
  • Roselily
  • Suzette
  • Susanne
  • Ghazal
  • Zambak

Sibling Names for Lily