The story behind Lillian
Used since the sixteenth century, possibly originally a pet form of Elizabeth, but generally accepted as a variant of Late Latin lilium (“lily”).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): L IH1 L IY0 AH0 N
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Lillian ranked #57 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Lillian
Lauren
Latin clipping of Laurentius. Doublet of Laurence.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lilian
Used since the sixteenth century, possibly originally a pet form of Elizabeth, but generally accepted as a variant of Late Latin lilium (“lily”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lilyan
A female given name from Latin, a less common spelling of Lilian.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Loren
A female given name from Latin, of rare usage, variant of Lauren.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lorin
From Late Latin saint's name Laura, from the feminine form of laurus (“laurel tree”). A post-classical name made famous by Petrarch's sonnets to Laura in the fourteenth century.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lucian
From Latin Lūcianus, either a derivative of the Roman praenomen Lūcius, from lūx (“light”); or from Ancient Greek Λουκιανός (Loukianós), of obscure meaning. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Lillian
Abílio
Perhaps from Latin abilius (“not vindictive”). Possibly related to Abelardo.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abundi
From Latin Abundius.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adalberto
From Latin Adalbertus, from Frankish *Aþalaberht. From Latin Adalbertus, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht. Doublet of Alberto.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Lillian
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abílio
Perhaps from Latin abilius (“not vindictive”). Possibly related to Abelardo.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abraham
Middle English Abraham English Abraham From Middle English Abraham, from Old English Abraham, from Late Latin Ābrahām, from Ancient Greek Ἀβρᾱᾱ́μ (Abrāā́m), from Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length