Lily

What does Lily mean?

The name Lily comes from the Latin word for the flower, lilium, and carries the simple floral image of the plant itself. As a given name it evokes the qualities associated with the flower, such as delicacy, purity and natural beauty.

Tone wise, Lily feels fresh and approachable while also being timeless. It sits comfortably between sweet and refined, with floral charm that can be at once playful for a child and quietly elegant for an adult. In style it often pairs well with classic names such as Grace and modern favourites like Amelia, offering a versatile, enduring choice for parents.

Historical Context

The use of flower names for girls became more fashionable in English-speaking countries from the 18th century onward, but Lily as a given name is especially associated with the Victorian era when botanical names were popular. The Latin root lilium has been a symbol of purity and beauty across cultures, and the white lily has strong associations in Christian art and symbolism, which helped its appeal in Europe.

In the 19th and 20th centuries Lily, and its variants, moved from a poetic surname or literary reference into wider use as a first name. Its clear meaning and gentle sound have kept it in steady use. Variants and diminutives have developed in different languages, and modern popularity has been reinforced by celebrities and fictional characters bearing the name, without any single source dominating its spread.

Popularity of Lily over time

In 2025, Lily was given to 2,249 girls in the UK and 6,673 girls in the US. Lily has remained fairly steady over the last 20 years, and remains a popular girls' name in both the UK and the US.

What do parents think of Lily?