Lily
Lily is a girls' name of Latin origin meaning “lily flower, purity and beauty.” It ranked #18 in the United States in 2025.
Torn between Lily and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Lily?
LIL-ee
where does the name Lily come from?
From the Latin lilium, the flower. In Christian iconography the white lily is the emblem of purity and is placed in the Angel Gabriel's hand at the Annunciation, which is where the name's association with innocence comes from.
Directly from the Latin 'lilium' and Greek 'leirion,' the lily is one of history's most cherished floral symbols, representing purity, passion, and rebirth across many cultures from ancient Egypt to Christianity.
how popular is this name?
Lily has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 137 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 9. It peaked at #15 in 2011, and ranked #18 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #18 |
| 2024 | #24 |
| 2023 | #20 |
| 2022 | #30 |
| 2021 | #31 |
| 2020 | #35 |
| 2019 | #34 |
| 2018 | #31 |
| 2017 | #33 |
| 2016 | #24 |
| 2011 | #15 |
| 2010 | #17 |
| 2000 | #124 |
| 1990 | #584 |
| 1980 | #835 |
| 1970 | #997 |
| 1960 | #946 |
| 1950 | #741 |
| 1940 | #507 |
| 1930 | #389 |
| 1920 | #331 |
| 1910 | #310 |
| 1900 | #291 |
| 1890 | #254 |
| 1880 | #240 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Lily fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Lily
Lily doubles as a pet form of Lilian and Elizabeth, so its history runs on two tracks at once. It was popular in the Victorian botanical wave, and the actress Lillie Langtry — the Jersey Lily — made it fashionable in the 1880s. After decades out of use it returned emphatically, reaching the British top five in the 2000s.
who are famous people named Lily?
- Lily James (actress)
- Lily Allen (singer)
- Lily Tomlin (actress)
- Lily Potter (Harry Potter character)
what are the nicknames and variants of Lily?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Lily?
what names go well with Lily?
Sibling names that share Lily's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Lily
What does the name Lily mean?
Lily means “lily flower, purity and beauty”.
What is the origin of the name Lily?
Lily comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Lilly, Lilie and Lillie.
How popular is the name Lily?
Lily ranked #18 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2011, at #15, and it has spent 137 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Lily a boy or girl name?
Lily is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Lily?
Lily is pronounced LIL-ee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Lily? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session