Lillian

Fact-checked by Rebekah Wahlberg

Written by Tahirah Blanding

In this article

Lillian name meaning and origin

What does Lillian mean?

"God is my oath" or "lily"

Lillian name origin:

Hebrew and English

Lillian is thought to be a nickname for Elizabeth that came about because young children have a hard time pronouncing the name – just like Lilibet and Libby. Elizabeth is rooted in a Hebrew name that means "God is my oath."

But Lillian – which is also spelled Lilian – is also connected to the lily, a flower that has long been a symbol of purity, rebirth, and renewal. Lily is a common nickname for this sweet, nature-inspired name.

First recorded as a name in England in the 16th century, Lillian has been a beloved favorite for hundreds of years. It's been in the top 500 girl names in the United States since the Social Security Administration started keeping track in 1880, and peaked in the No. 10 spot from 1898 until 1901. While it hasn't reached quite so high since then, it's still a popular choice in the top 100 today.

Sources:

Hanks P., et al. 2016. A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001/acref-9780198610601

U.S. Social Security Administration. Undated. Popular Baby Names. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

Popularity over time

Data not available

Lillian in pop culture

Lillian Kaushtupper	Character in the Netflix show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, played by Carol Kane
Lillian Forrester	Character in the political drama Scandal, played by Annabeth Gish
Lillian "Lilly" Truscott	Character in the Disney show Hannah Montana, played by Emily Osment
Lillian "Lily" van der Woodsen	Character in the teen drama Gossip Girl, played by Kelly Rutherford
Queen Lillian	Fiona's mother in the Shrek movies, voiced by Julie Andrews

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Famous people named Lillian

Lillian Carter	Mother of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
Lillian Copeland	American track and field Olympic athlete who competed in discus, javelin throwing, and shot put
Lillian Disney	American artist and wife of Walt Disney, credited with suggesting Mickey Mouse's name
Lillian Gish	American silent film actress dubbed "First Lady of the Screen" by Vanity Fair in 1927
Lillian Metge	Irish suffragette and women's rights activist
Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau	American socialite and entrepreneur known for founding Lilly Pulitzer, Inc.
Lillian Randolph	American actress and singer, best known for her role in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life
Lillian Smith	American author and social critic best known for her 1944 novel Strange Fruit
Lillian Wald	American nurse and humanitarian credited for founding American community nursing, or nursing care given outside of a hospital

Names similar to Lillian

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