Lillian
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Lily; pure; innocent
Origin: Latin lilium (lily), possibly developed as an elaboration of Elizabeth or as a variant of Lily
Popularity: Ranked #57 in 2025 with 3,966 babies born.
History: Lillian is a graceful elaboration of Lily — the white flower symbolizing purity and beauty. It was one of the most popular girls' names in America from the 1880s through the 1920s, carried by actress Lillian Gish, one of the greatest stars of the silent film era, and playwright Lillian Hellman. The name faded through the mid-20th century and has made a strong comeback, entering the U.S. top 100 in the 2000s. Lily and Lilly are its natural short forms. It has the warm, slightly formal quality of the best Edwardian names — beautiful without being fussy.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Lillian? About 1 in 839 babies born in 2025 were named Lillian, or roughly 10.9 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Lillian
What does the name Lillian mean?
Lillian means “Lily; pure; innocent” from Latin lilium (lily), possibly developed as an elaboration of Elizabeth or as a variant of Lily roots.
What is the origin of the name Lillian?
Lillian has Latin lilium (lily), possibly developed as an elaboration of Elizabeth or as a variant of Lily origin. The traditional meaning is “Lily; pure; innocent”.
How popular is Lillian?
Lillian ranked #57 in 2025 — given to 3,966 babies that year.
When was Lillian most popular?
Lillian peaked in 1920 with 10,049 babies registered that year.
Is Lillian a boy or girl name?
Lillian is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Lillians in registered births are female.
Is the name Lillian rising or falling in popularity?
Lillian has fallen 11 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #46 in 2020 to #57 in 2025.
How long has Lillian been recorded?
Lillian appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.