Origin, Meaning, And History of Lily
The name Lily bears direct influence from the beautiful white flower. Alternatively spelled as Lilie or Lili, Lily is a feminine name popular in English, Hebrew, and Greek. This floral name is used as a shorter version of the English names Lilian or Elizabeth. The name originally comes from the Latin name of the flower “Lilium”. In Hebrew, the name Lily means “oath of God”. as a baby is a gift of God. In Greek mythology, the name is derived from the Greek word “leiron” referring to the white Madonna lily that represents motherhood and rebirth. For Christians, lily symbolizes purity and chastity.
In Christianity, lily has been associated with Virgin Mary. It was believed that the tomb of Mother Mary was covered with white lilies, and the different parts of the flower were attributed to her. The leaves symbolize her modesty, the white petals represent her chastity, and the stem represents her religious beliefs. The Anglican churches in England consider the flower as a symbol of Jesus’s crucifixion as they believe that his crucifixion and annunciation take place on the same day every year.
In Greek mythology, the flower lily was created from the breast milk of Hera, the wife of Zeus. However, the Roman goddess of beauty, Venus grew so jealous of lily’s elegance that she cursed the flower to grow a pistil from the middle.
The name Lily rose to popularity in the 2000s. In Virginia Woolf’s famous English classic ‘To A Lighthouse’,Lily Briscoeis one of the central characters who is a painter by profession. She represents the ideal artist of Woolf, who plays with masculine rationality and feminine empathy.Lily Potteris another fictional character from the famous Harry Potter series. She is the mother of Harry Potter and has been described as a kind and loyal woman by the author J.K Rowling.Lilyis another character from the American animated television series ‘Kappa Mikey’created by Larry Schwartz. The name Lily has been in the ‘Top 50 names in the US’ and has maintained a steady position for the last 15 years.
How To Pronounce Lily?
Famous People With The Name Lily
- Lily AuchinclossAmerican journalist, philanthropist, and art collector
- Lily TomlinAmerican actress and a stand-up comedian
- Lily BrownAmerican poet, author of Rust or Go Missing
- Lily ZhangAmerican table tennis player, five times US national champion
- Lily AdamsCanadian painter
- Lily HalpernAmerican singer and performer
Lily On The Popularity Chart
Lily became popular all over the world during the 1900s. Take a look at the graphs to understand more.
Popularity Over Time
The name Lily has been soaring in popularity since the late 90s, with 5584 newborns having this name in 2021. The graphical representation shows how it became a popular choice over the years, with its peak popularity coming in 2011.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Lily was relatively less popular in the 1980s but earned the popularity of a top-ranking name in the 2000s. In 2011, it was ranked 15th according to the Social Security Administration data, which is reflected in the graph below.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Lily
If floral names like Lily are on your wishlist, you will also like similar-sounding names but with unique meanings. Take a look.
Popular Sibling Names For Lily
Other Popular Names Beginning With L
Names With Similar Meaning As Lily
Want to find some other names that signify purity or innocence? Here are some appropriate choices for your munchkin.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
lily
In Sign Language
lily
In Braille Alphabet
lily
In Morse Code
lily
Name Numerology For Lily
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Lily?
The name Lily means ‘pure’ or ‘innocent.’
2. What is the origin of the name Lily?
Lily has Old English and Greek origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Lily?
Lily is pronounced as lee-lee.
4. Is the name Lily too common?
花的名字莉莉一直珍视。As of 2022, the name is ranked 30 and has been consistently listed among the Top 100 names for baby girls since 2002. Its popularity peaked in 2011, with 8,188 babies being named Lily (1).
5. What does lily mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, the lily corresponds to purity, is often mentioned symbolically and holds various meanings. For instance, in the Song of Solomon 2, the beloved (a lady) is compared to a lily among thorns, highlighting her beauty and uniqueness.
6. Are there any historical events or traditions associated with the name Lily?
一些著名的历史事件traditions associated with the name Lily include ‘The Fleur-de-Lis,’ a stylized lily flower used as a royal symbol throughout French history, often appearing on coats of arms, flags, and other regal emblems. Additionally, according to Greek mythology, Lily was the special flower of Hera, wife of Zeus. Greek legends postulated that the lily was created from Hera’s breast milk.
References:
- Popularity of name Lily.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
