What Does the Name Lillian Mean?
Lillian is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning “"Lily" (the flower).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Lillian |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Latin |
| Meaning | "Lily" (the flower) |
| Variants | Lillie, Lily, Liliana, Lilian |
| Popularity | A perennial US favorite, consistently ranking in the top 30-40 for girls in recent decades. |
The meaning and origin of Lillian
The name Lillian means “"Lily" (the flower)” and has Latin origins. Likely a diminutive of Elizabeth or a derivative of Lily, ultimately from Latin 'lilium', the flower symbolizing purity. It became popular as an independent name in the 19th century.
Variants and related names
Lillian is related to several other names you may recognize: Lillie, Lily, Liliana, Lilian. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Lillian?
A perennial US favorite, consistently ranking in the top 30-40 for girls in recent decades.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lillian mean?+
The name Lillian means “"Lily" (the flower)” and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of the name Lillian?+
Lillian originates from Latin.
Is Lillian a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Lillian has trended in the US over time.
Lillian by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press