Lillian
Lillian is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Lily, or a diminutive form of Elizabeth meaning 'pledged to God'.
Origin and history
Lillian is a classic English name derived from the Latin word for the lily flower, though it also historically developed as a pet form of Elizabeth. It has been a mainstay in the United States for over a century and ranks among the top 100 female names overall. The name experienced a major peak in the early 20th century and has enjoyed a strong modern revival.
Popularity in the United States
475,028 babies in the United States have been named Lillian since 1880. It ranks #69 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #51.
States where it is most popular
- NY (10.5 %)
- PA (6.2 %)
- TX (5.3 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
- CA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 11,270 |
| 1890-1900 | 24,106 |
| 1900-1910 | 32,519 |
| 1910-1920 | 75,914 |
| 1920-1930 | 83,160 |
| 1930-1940 | 37,391 |
| 1940-1950 | 22,315 |
| 1950-1960 | 16,509 |
| 1960-1970 | 10,606 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,364 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,390 |
| 1990-2000 | 11,229 |
| 2000-2010 | 49,393 |
| 2010-2019 | 64,960 |
| 2020-2029 | 24,902 |
Famous people named Lillian
- Lillian Gish: Actress, Director
- Lillian Hellman: Playwright, Author
Nicknames
Lil, Lilly, Lily
Fun facts
- Lillian was extremely popular in the early 1900s and has seen a substantial resurgence in recent decades.
- While primarily linked to the lily flower, it originally gained popularity in medieval England as a diminutive of Elizabeth.