Lily

#8 in Utah

Meaning of Lily

Lily is a feminine name derived from the Lily flower, a symbol of purity in many cultures. The name has roots in English and Germanic languages, with variations in pronunciation. In English-speaking regions, it is pronounced as LIL-ee, while in Germanic languages such as Dutch and Swedish, it is pronounced as LEE-lee. A common variation of the name is Lilly.

The name Lily has enjoyed considerable popularity in the United States over the years. After remaining relatively low-key until the 1990s, it began to rise steadily in popularity from around 2000 onwards. Its highest rank was 15th most popular name for newborn girls in 2011, and it has consistently remained within the top 50 since then.

The appeal of the name lies not only in its simplicity and elegance but also its versatility - being easy to pronounce for speakers of many different languages. Its association with one of nature's most cherished flowers gives it a timeless charm that continues to endear it to parents seeking a classic yet stylish name for their daughters.

Pronunciation

Germanic Languages (e.g., Dutch, Swedish

  • Pronunced as LEE-lee (/'li:li/)

English

  • Pronunced as LIL-ee (/ˈlɪli/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

States Popularity Chart

Notable People Named Lily

Lily Collins is a British-American actress known for her roles in The Blind Side, Priest, and Mirror Mirror.
Lily Luahana Cole is a British model, author, film director, actress, and entrepreneur known for her successful modeling career and her advocacy for environmental issues through her book and podcast.
Lily James, born as Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, is an English actress known for her roles in Downton Abbey and Cinderella.
Lily Aldridge is an American model famous for her work as a Victoria's Secret Angel and her appearance on the 50th-anniversary cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Lily Halpern - Lily M. Halpern, also known as Lily Lane, is an American performer and singer recognized for her EP "Nothin' But Trouble" and viral cover of Nicki Minaj's "Starships."
Naoko Fujimoto
Curated byNaoko Fujimoto

Assistant Editor