Lilian

Lilian: name meaning, origin and popularity

Girl nameLatin origin#560 in 2025

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɪli.ən/

Meaning and origin of Lilian

Root meaning: “lily”

  • A female given name from Latin.

Etymology

Used since the sixteenth century, possibly originally a pet form of Elizabeth, but generally accepted as a variant of Late Latin lilium (“lily”).

How popular is Lilian?

#560girls, 2025
537U.S. babies in 2025
#367peak rank (1882)
20,470babies since 1880

Since 1880, 20,470 girls in the U.S. have been named Lilian. Its highest rank for girls was #367 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #560 for girls, with 537 babies given the name.

18801920196020002025786 peak/yr
U.S. births per year with this name, 1880–2025 (SSA)

Names similar to Lilian

Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.

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Sibling name ideas for Lilian

Sister and brother names that share Lilian's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.

Lilian FAQ

What does the name Lilian mean?

Lilian traces back to a root meaning "lily". A female given name from Latin. Used since the sixteenth century, possibly originally a pet form of Elizabeth, but generally accepted as a variant of Late Latin lilium (“lily”).

What is the origin of the name Lilian?

Lilian is listed as a name of Latin origin.

How popular is the name Lilian?

Since 1880, 20,470 girls in the U.S. have been named Lilian. Its highest rank for girls was #367 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #560 for girls, with 537 babies given the name.

Is Lilian a boy or girl name?

Lilian is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 20,470 girls and 0 boys since 1880.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.