Lilian
A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "of lilies" or "pure".
Name Census estimates that about 17,451 living Americans carry the first name Lilian. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Lilian today is around 19 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Lilian births was 2007 (786 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Lilian. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
17K
~ 1 in 19,641 Americans
Peak year
2007
786 babies that year
Average age
19
years old
2024 SSA rank
#558
Tracked since 1880
Popularity
Lilian: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Lilian from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 15 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 5,931 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Lilian remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Lilian by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Lilian during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Lilians live
The SSA's state-level files cover 47 states and territories. California, Texas, New York recorded the most babies named Lilian, while Rhode Island, New Mexico, Delaware recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 342 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Lilian
The name Lilian has its origins in the Latin language, deriving from the feminine form of the name Lilian, which means "lily." This floral association links the name to symbolic meanings of purity, innocence, and renewal. Historically, the name gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions where Latin was widely spoken or had a significant cultural influence, such as parts of Europe and the Mediterranean.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various Latin texts and records. Saint Lilian, a Portuguese nun and mystic who lived during the 13th century, is one of the earliest known individuals to bear this name. Her devotion and spiritual teachings contributed to the spread of the name's popularity among religious communities.
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Lilian. Lilian Faderman, an American scholar and activist born in 1940, is renowned for her work on LGBTQ history and literature. Lilian Thuram, a French retired professional footballer born in 1972, was a prominent figure in the sport, winning numerous titles and accolades during his career.
Another notable Lilian was Lilian Gish, an American actress born in 1893 and widely regarded as a pioneer of the silent film era. Her performances in iconic films like "The Birth of a Nation" and "Broken Blossoms" cemented her place in cinema history. Lilian Baylis, a British theatrical producer born in 1874, played a pivotal role in reviving the English National Opera and promoting the arts in London.
Lilian Jackson Braun, an American writer and novelist born in 1913, is best known for her popular "The Cat Who..." series of mystery novels featuring the feline sleuth Koko and his owner, Jim Qwilleran. Her books have delighted readers worldwide and contributed to the enduring appeal of the name.
While the name Lilian has ancient roots and historical significance, its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, influenced by cultural trends and preferences. Nonetheless, its gentle and graceful nature has ensured its enduring charm, making it a timeless choice for parents seeking a name with a rich heritage and a touch of floral elegance.
People
Lilian + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Lilian as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Lilian: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Lilian?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 17,451 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Lilian going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 19,641 US residents.
Is Lilian a common name?
We classify Lilian as "Uncommon". It ranks above 98.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 19,925 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Lilian most popular?
The single biggest year for Lilian was 2007, when 786 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Lilian is about 19 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Lilian a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Lilian in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.