Where does the name Lillian come from?

Lillian is a girl name of English origin.

Is Lillian a boy or a girl name?

Lillian is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 100% of children given the name Lillian are girls and 0% are boys.

How popular is the name Lillian in 2023?

Lillian ranks #55 for girls in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1920 with 10,075 babies.

How do you pronounce Lillian?

Lillian is pronounced LIL-ee-an (3 syllables).

What are common spellings of Lillian?

Lillian is also written as Lilian, Liliana, Lillyann.

A name from English · Girl

Lillian

An English elaboration of Lily (the flower, symbol of purity) crossed with the older Lilian, itself sometimes traced to a Latin pet form of Elizabeth. The fuller -ian ending revives easily for parents wanting a vintage feel.

Compare

Popularity over time

A 143-year arc in numbers.

467,169 U.S. births recorded from 1880–2023.

Popularity · 1880–2023

3,940 births in 2023

1880 1951 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

LAn English elaboration of Lily (the flower, symbol of purity) crossed with the older Lilian, itself sometimes traced to a Latin pet form of Elizabeth. The fuller -ian ending revives easily for parents wanting a vintage feel.

Variants & spellings

3 ways to spell "Lillian".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Lilian Most common Liliana Lillyann

Quick answers

People often ask about Lillian.

What does the name Lillian mean?: Lillian means an English elaboration of Lily (the flower, symbol of purity) crossed with the older Lilian, itself sometimes traced to a Latin pet form of Elizabeth. The fuller -ian ending revives easily for parents wanting a vintage feel.
Where does the name Lillian come from?: Lillian is a girl name of English origin.
Is Lillian a boy or a girl name?: Lillian is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 100% of children given the name Lillian are girls and 0% are boys.
How popular is the name Lillian in 2023?: Lillian ranks #55 for girls in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1920 with 10,075 babies.
How do you pronounce Lillian?: Lillian is pronounced LIL-ee-an (3 syllables).
What are common spellings of Lillian?: Lillian is also written as Lilian, Liliana, Lillyann.

Similar names

If you love Lillian, also consider…

Nancy

#942

Girl ·English

Originally a medieval pet form of Ann (and of Agnes), ultimately from Hebrew Hannah meaning 'grace, favor'

Betty

#1187

Girl ·English

A pet form of Elizabeth (Hebrew Elisheva, 'my God is an oath' or 'God of plenty'), used independently since the 18th century

Kimberly

#222

Girl ·English

From the South African city Kimberley, itself named for the British colonial secretary Lord Kimberley

Larry

#1012

Boy ·English

A short form of Lawrence, from Latin Laurentius meaning 'from Laurentum' (a city near Rome) or 'crowned with laurel'

Brandon

#219

Boy ·English

From an Old English place name, "broom-covered hill" (brōm + dūn)

A short form of Jerome (Greek Hieronymos, 'sacred name') or of Gerald (Germanic 'rule of the spear')

Evelyn

#9177

Girl ·English

Wished-for child; desired

About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meanings and origins are curated from etymological sources. If you spot an error, please let us know.