Lillian
Say it: LIL-ee-an
GirlMeans usually explained as "lily"7 letters3 syllables
#413
in Ireland (2025)
#410 with spellings combined
9
babies in 2025
#236
best rank (2016)
501
babies since 1964
Down 119
10-year rank change
Lillian through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #410 |
| 2024 | 17 | #248 |
| 2023 | 10 | #358 |
| 2022 | 12 | #338 |
| 2021 | 10 | #389 |
| 2020 | 16 | #265 |
| 2019 | 17 | #273 |
| 2018 | 19 | #245 |
| 2017 | 13 | #325 |
| 2016 | 20 | #236 |
| 2015 | 17 | #291 |
| 2014 | 21 | #242 |
| 2013 | 14 | #340 |
| 2012 | 17 | #296 |
| 2011 | 18 | #285 |
| 2010 | 17 | #310 |
| 2009 | 15 | #314 |
| 2008 | 21 | #251 |
| 2007 | 8 | #469 |
| 2006 | 12 | #326 |
| 2005 | 12 | #300 |
| 2004 | 7 | #414 |
| 2003 | 11 | #294 |
| 2002 | 7 | #374 |
| 2001 | 4 | #498 |
| 2000 | 7 | #353 |
| 1997 | 3 | #576 |
| 1996 | 4 | #471 |
| 1995 | 3 | #516 |
| 1993 | 3 | #516 |
| 1991 | 5 | #423 |
| 1988 | 5 | #407 |
| 1987 | 4 | #446 |
| 1986 | 5 | #422 |
| 1985 | 3 | #519 |
| 1984 | 8 | #343 |
| 1983 | 7 | #365 |
| 1982 | 9 | #333 |
| 1981 | 4 | #471 |
| 1980 | 5 | #432 |
| 1979 | 7 | #363 |
| 1978 | 9 | #331 |
| 1977 | 5 | #429 |
| 1976 | 4 | #429 |
| 1975 | 4 | #455 |
| 1974 | 4 | #428 |
| 1973 | 8 | #331 |
| 1972 | 5 | #389 |
| 1971 | 7 | #326 |
| 1970 | 5 | #363 |
| 1969 | 4 | #393 |
| 1968 | 3 | #401 |
| 1967 | 4 | #354 |
| 1966 | 5 | #310 |
| 1965 | 3 | #385 |
| 1964 | 5 | #300 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Lillian mean?
Usually explained as "lily"
English, generally linked to Latin lilium (lily), though it may have begun as a pet form of Elizabeth.
Say it right
LILeean
The story of Lillian
Lillian has been used as a name in English since the sixteenth century. It is generally taken to come from lilium, the Latin word for the lily. Some think it may first have been a pet form of Elizabeth, and only later linked to the flower, so its beginnings are not completely clear. Lilian with one l is the more usual British spelling, and Lillian is more common in America. It has plenty of relatives: Lily, Lillie, Liliana and Lilia all belong to the same family.
In Ireland Lillian has been given to a small number of girls throughout the CSO records. It was used a little more in the 2000s and 2010s, when shorter Lily was one of the most popular names in the country. Its biggest year was 2008, with 21 girls, and its best rank was number 236 in 2016. In 2025, 9 girls were named Lillian. The CSO counts Lilian as a separate name.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Lillian (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Lillian (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
LilyLil
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Lillian | 9 | 501 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #336 (2019); 14 babies since 2018.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.