Lillian
LIL-ee-un /ˈlɪl.i.ən/
Meaning of Lillian
Lillian is an elaborated English form of Lily, from Latin lilium. It was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries alongside Lily and Lillie before a long mid-century decline. The current revival dates from the 2010s. The extra syllable gives it a Victorian formality distinct from the shorter Lily.
Current popularity of Lillian
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #46 |
Notable bearers of Lillian
Lillian Gish (silent-film actress, 1893–1993); Lillian Hellman (playwright).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Lillian — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31