How to say it
LIL · ee
ˈlɪ.li
Feminine
Lily
Lily flower
What it means
From the English word for the lily flower, ultimately from the Latin lilium. A symbol of purity, fertility, and resurrection in Christian iconography (the Virgin Mary's flower).
Lily belongs to the Victorian-era wave of botanical names alongside Hazel, Violet, Rose, Daisy, and Ivy. It dropped out of fashion through the mid-20th century, then climbed back into the US top twenty in the 1990s. The variant Lilly (double L) has its own modern life, and Lily often serves as the everyday short form of the longer Lillian. Compound forms like Lily-Rose, Lilyana, and Lilyanne show up in modern naming. Common short form: Lil.
How to spell Lily
The standard spelling is Lily. Common variants include Lilly, Lillian, Liliana, but Lily is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #15 in 2011, currently #18 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Harry Potter's mother is the dominant association for the under-40 set; the flower itself carries Easter and funeral imagery in other contexts.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Lily Potter Harry's mother in the Harry Potter series
- Lily Allen English singer, Smile and LDN
- Lily Tomlin American actress and comedian, 9 to 5 and Grace and Frankie
Spelling variants
- Lilly
- Lillian
- Liliana
Names with the same feeling
See Lily from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Lily mean?
- From the English word for the lily flower, ultimately from the Latin lilium. A symbol of purity, fertility, and resurrection in Christian iconography (the Virgin Mary's flower).
- What does Lily mean in English?
- In English, Lily means "Lily flower." Lily belongs to the Victorian-era wave of botanical names alongside Hazel, Violet, Rose, Daisy, and Ivy. It dropped out of fashion through the mid-20th century, then climbed back into the US top twenty in the 1990s. The variant Lilly (double L) has its own modern life, and Lily often serves as the everyday short form of the longer Lillian. Compound forms like Lily-Rose, Lilyana, and Lilyanne show up in modern naming. Common short form: Lil.
- How do you pronounce Lily?
- Lily is pronounced ˈlɪ.li. Say it as LIL-ee, with the stress on the "lil" syllable.
- How do you spell Lily?
- The standard spelling is Lily. Common spelling variants include Lilly, Lillian, Liliana.
- Is Lily a boy or girl name?
- Lily is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Lily?
- Lily ranked #18 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.