Lily

English flower name

"lily"

Lily Origin and Meaning

The name Lily is a girl's name of English origin meaning "lily".

Lily came into use as a given name as a direct influence of the flower. The floral name was derived from the Latin lilium, itself derived from the Greek leirion. Lily later became an adjective to describe whiteness and purity.

Lily is the most popular of the popular delicate century-old flower names now making a return, thanks to its many irresistible attributes: a cool elegance and a lovely sound, a symbol of purity and innocence, and a role in Christian imagery.

Lily is a favorite of celebrity parents, including Chris O'Donnell, Kate Beckinsale, Greg Kinnear, Fred Savage, and Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis (who made it a double bouquet, with Lily-Rose). The more proper Lillian is also rising in popularity, though Lily has long stood on its own.

Lily is an authors' favorite, some notable example being Lily Bart, the main character of Edith Wharton's House of Mirth, Lily Owens in The Secret Life of Bees and both mother and daughter of Harry Potter. Other current bearers are Lily Tomlin, singer Lily Allen, and actress Lily James. Two one-time starbaby Lilys are now celebrities on their own: Lily Collins, daughter of Phil, and Lily Rabe, daughter of Jill Clayburgh and David Rabe.

Lily is currently quite popular in Scotland, England, and Wales.

• 34 US 2019
• 89 Nameberry 2021
• 9 England 2019
• 72 France 2019
• 16 Scotland 2019
• 13 Ireland 2019
• 75 Netherlands 2019
• 8 New Zealand 2020
• 22 Australia 2019
• 5 Dogs 2019
• 135 2028 2028
• 22 Denmark 2020