Lillian
“Derived from the Latin lilium, meaning 'lily,' Lillian evokes purity, beauty, and classical femininity, having flourished as a Victorian and Edwardian favorite. The name carries literary prestige through figures like Lillian Hellman and suggests both elegance and strength, remaining perpetually sophisticated without feeling dated.”
Lillian is a girl's name of Latin origin. Derived from the Latin lilium, meaning 'lily,' Lillian evokes purity, beauty, and classical femininity, having flourished as a Victorian and Edwardian favorite. The name carries literary prestige through figures like Lillian Hellman and suggests both elegance and strength, remaining perpetually sophisticated without feeling dated.
A top-50 name in the US since 2000, experiencing a major resurgence in the 21st century.
The name Lillian has roots in the Latin language tradition. It derives from elements meaning “Derived from the Latin lilium, meaning 'lily,' Lillian evokes purity, beauty, and classical femininity, having flourished as a Victorian and Edwardian favorite”.
Cultural context: A top-50 name in the US since 2000, experiencing a major resurgence in the 21st century.
As a girl's name, Lillian carries the character of its Latin heritage while remaining a distinctive and uncommon choice for parents seeking something unique.
Lillian Bassman
EntertainmentAmericanFashion photographer, artistic vision, 20th century iconography
An American fashion photographer renowned for her elegant and artistic black-and-white photographs. She was a pioneering female photographer who shaped the aesthetic of fashion photography in the mid-20th century.
1917 – 2012
Lillian Hellman
Arts & LiteratureAmericanPlaywright, 'The Children's Hour,' theatrical innovation
An American playwright and screenwriter known for her powerful social dramas that challenged conventions. Her most famous work, 'The Children's Hour' (1934), tackled taboo subjects and established her as a bold literary voice.
1905 – 1984
Lillian Disney
BusinessAmericanDisney co-founder's wife, CalArts patron, philanthropist
An American philanthropist and businesswoman, and the wife of Walt Disney. She played a significant role in developing the California Institute of the Arts and was a major cultural patron.
1899 – 1997
Lillian Gish
EntertainmentAmericanSilent film icon and actress, 99-year entertainment career
An American film and stage actress who became one of the most famous silent film stars of the early 20th century. Known for her expressive performances in D.W. Griffith films, she was a pioneering figure in cinema and acted for over seven decades.
1893 – 1993
Lillian Russell
EntertainmentAmericanOperetta star, Gilded Age icon, women's suffrage advocate
An American actress and singer who was a major stage star of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was one of the most famous women of her era, known for her beauty, voice, and presence in operetta and musical theater.
1860 – 1922
What does the name Lillian mean?
Lillian means "Derived from the Latin lilium, meaning 'lily,' Lillian evokes purity, beauty, and classical femininity, having flourished as a Victorian and Edwardian favorite. The name carries literary prestige through figures like Lillian Hellman and suggests both elegance and strength, remaining perpetually sophisticated without feeling dated.", and is of Latin origin.
Is Lillian a girl name?
Lillian is primarily used as a girl's name.
What is the origin of the name Lillian?
Lillian is of Latin origin. A top-50 name in the US since 2000, experiencing a major resurgence in the 21st century.