Lily Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Lily has its origins in Latin, meaning 'pure' or 'innocent,' and has evolved through several historical forms. It is commonly linked with the flower symbolizing beauty and virtue. There is no specific biblical relevance associated with the name. It gained popularity in the 19th century and is currently regarded as a classic and elegant choice for girls, with several notable personalities bearing the name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Lily"
Pronunciation
/ˈlɪli/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name 'Lily' is derived from the Latin word 'lilium,' which refers to the flower of the same name. The flower has been associated with purity and innocence throughout history.
Meaning
pure, innocent
Language Evolution
Lilium (Latin), Lilie (Old French), Lilie (Middle English), Lily (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Lily gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 19th century, partly due to the flower's association with virtue and beauty.
Variants & Derivatives
Lillie, Lillith, Lila
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Lily is perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with femininity and grace. It remains a popular choice for girls in many countries.
Famous People
Lily Allen (singer), Lily James (actress), Lily Collins (actress and model)
📊 Lily Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Lily Name Visualizations
✨ Lily Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,199 peak births in 2011
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Lily" - Complete Guide (24 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Lily". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 24 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Lily" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Lily"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Lily"
"Lily" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15579th of 16616 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8956th of 24088 | 105 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 15668th of 23106 | 24 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 333rd of 9107 | 6,824 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 486th of 9204 | 3,857 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 854th of 12526 | 2,587 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1034th of 19264 | 1,923 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 520th of 27321 | 7,063 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 46th of 35406 | 85,567 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 25th of 30306 | 73,295 |
Regional Popularity of "Lily" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
56.82% 4155th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Lily" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
26.41% 374th/1416 |
24.00% 331st/1379 |
14.07% 333rd/2366 |
17.86% 204th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
37.58% 581st/1546 |
34.70% 540th/1556 |
19.34% 455th/2353 |
18.10% 280th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
51.01% 1136th/2227 |
32.67% 794th/2430 |
32.84% 937th/2853 |
23.35% 648th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
55.02% 1616th/2937 |
24.38% 849th/3483 |
35.65% 1254th/3518 |
18.84% 762nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
17.45% 643rd/3685 |
8.83% 395th/4475 |
13.21% 686th/5194 |
6.85% 433rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.96% 44th/4582 |
0.83% 43rd/5164 |
0.83% 61st/7313 |
0.67% 50th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.78% 31st/3984 |
0.49% 22nd/4487 |
0.35% 24th/6822 |
0.40% 25th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Lily"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Lily" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Lily" in the United States
The name Lily is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Lily has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, 'Lily' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7545th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6773rd out of 6773 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15579th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8956th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15668th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 333rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 486th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 854th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1034th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 520th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 46th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 25th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Lily' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.