Lily
Gender: Girl
Meaning: The lily flower; pure and innocent
Origin: Latin lilium, from Greek leirion — the lily flower, a symbol of purity
Popularity: Ranked #18 in 2025 with 6,673 babies born.
History: Lily is one of the classic flower names that emerged in the Victorian era, when botanical names were in fashion. The lily has symbolized purity, innocence, and the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition for centuries. The name was popular in the late 1800s, faded through the mid-20th century, and came back powerfully in the 1990s and 2000s. Harry Potter's Lily Potter — Harry's beloved mother — gave it a warm, heroic association for a generation of readers. It sits comfortably in the U.S. top 40 and has a timeless, floral delicacy that never really goes out of style.
Famous people named Lily: Lily Collins (actress), Lily Allen (singer), Lily James (actress), Lily Potter (Harry Potter)
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Lily? About 1 in 499 babies born in 2025 were named Lily, or roughly 18.3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Lily
What does the name Lily mean?
Lily means “The lily flower; pure and innocent” from Latin lilium, from Greek leirion — the lily flower, a symbol of purity roots.
What is the origin of the name Lily?
Lily has Latin lilium, from Greek leirion — the lily flower, a symbol of purity origin. The traditional meaning is “The lily flower; pure and innocent”.
How popular is Lily?
Lily ranked #18 in 2025 — given to 6,673 babies that year.
When was Lily most popular?
Lily peaked in 2011 with 8,192 babies registered that year.
Is Lily a boy or girl name?
Lily is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Lilys in registered births are female.
Is the name Lily rising or falling in popularity?
Lily has risen 18 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #36 in 2020 to #18 in 2025.
How long has Lily been recorded?
Lily appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.