Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lilly
GirlEnglish· “lily flower”
- Meaning
- lily flower
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- LIH-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #252
- US babies 2025
- 1,218
- Best rank
- #103 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Lilly
Lilly is an English name that means “lily flower”.
Lilly is a spelling variant of Lily, the name of the flower, which in English comes from the Latin lilium. The white lily has long been a symbol of purity and appears widely in Christian art. Lily also developed as a pet form of Elizabeth, so the name has two roots. Flower names became fashionable in the late nineteenth century, and Lily has since returned strongly in the English-speaking world. The double-l spelling feels sweet and traditional at once. Lilly can stand on its own or be a nickname for Lillian or Liliana, and it pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lily, Lillie, Lili, Lilli, Lilley.
Popularity over time
Lilly has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 116 different years. Its best national rank was #103 in 2011, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 2,891 were named Lilly. In 2025, 1,218 babies were named Lilly, and it ranked #252 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #376 in 1920, #729 in 1950, #1,856 in 1980, #428 in 2000, #106 in 2010, and #252 in 2025. Of the 66,728 US girls named Lilly since records began, 35% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 17,271 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jordyn, Rylee, Brooklynn, Mya, and Aliyah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lilly ranked highest in North Dakota, West Virginia, and Mississippi.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #128 | 8 |
| West Virginia | #132 | 12 |
| Mississippi | #160 | 16 |
| New Hampshire | #160 | 8 |
| Alabama | #165 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lilly is usually pronounced LIH-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-ly”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lily, Lillie, Lili, and Lilli.
Middle names for Lilly
A few middle names that flow with Lilly: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lilly
Similar names
Molly Girl
MAH-lee
“diminutive of Mary” · English
#196
Tilly Girl
TIH-lee
“strength in battle” · English
#885
Poppy Girl
PAH-pee
“poppy flower” · English
#292
Ally Girl
A-lee
“pet form of Alison or Alexandra” · English
#2,118
Nelly Girl
NEH-lee
“pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen” · English
#1,294
Daisy Girl
DAY-zee
“day's eye” · English
#75
Blakely Girl
BLAYK-lee
“dark clearing” · English
#191
Rosie Girl
ROH-zee
“rose” · English
#283
Dolly Girl
DAH-lee
“pet form of Dorothy, "gift of God"” · English
#1,781
Polly Girl
PAH-lee
“pet form of Mary via Molly” · English
#2,318
Blossom Girl
BLAH-sum
“flower, bloom” · English
#1,300
Primrose Girl
PRIHM-rohz
“first rose” · English
#2,561
Lists that include Lilly
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lilly mean?
Lilly is an English name that means “lily flower”.
What is the origin of the name Lilly?
Lilly has English roots. Lilly is a spelling variant of Lily, the name of the flower, which in English comes from the Latin lilium.
Is Lilly a popular name?
Yes. Lilly ranked #252 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lilly a boy or girl name?
Lilly is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lilly?
Lilly is usually pronounced LIH-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings