Lillian is a female given name of English origin. It is derived from the Latin name Lilianus, which means "lily" or "pure." The name has been in use since the 19th century and was particularly popular in the early 20th century. Notable people with the name Lillian include actress Lillian Gish, author Lillian Hellman, and civil rights activist Lillian Smith. The name has also been used in literature and popular culture, such as in the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, where the character Daisy Buchanan's middle name is Lillian.
Lillian rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Lillian
| Lily | ˈlɪli | A common nickname for Lillian, derived from the name of the flower which symbolizes purity, innocence, and beauty. |
| Lila | ˈlaɪlə | A sweet and simple nickname for Lillian, which means 'night' in Arabic and 'purple' in Sanskrit. |
| Lil | lɪl | A short and cute nickname for Lillian, which is also a common nickname for other names like Lily, Lila, and Lilith. |
| Lilli | ˈlɪli | A variant of the nickname Lily, which is often used to differentiate from other Lilys or to add a personal touch. |
| Lillie | ˈlɪli | A more feminine and elaborate version of the nickname Lily, which can also be spelled as Lilly or Lili. |
Famous people named Lillian
| Lillian Gish | Actress | One of the greatest actresses in the history of silent film, known for her roles in films such as 'The Birth of a Nation' and 'Broken Blossoms |
| Lillian Hellman | Playwright | Famous for her plays such as 'The Children's Hour' and 'The Little Foxes |
| Lillian Disney | Philanthropist | Wife of Walt Disney and co-founder of the California Institute of the Arts |
| Lillian Wald | Nurse and Activist | Founder of the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and an advocate for public health and social welfare |
| Lillian Board | Olympic Athlete | British sprinter who won a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics |
| Lillian Russell | Singer and Actress | One of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries |
| Lillian Vernon | Entrepreneur | Founder of the Lillian Vernon Corporation, a mail-order catalog company |
| Lillian Moller Gilbreth | Engineer and Psychologist | Pioneering female engineer and psychologist who was the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering |
| Lillian Bassman | Photographer | Fashion photographer known for her work in Harper's Bazaar and other publications |
| Lillian Axe | Rock Band | American rock band known for their albums 'Love + War' and 'Poetic Justice |
Fictional character called Lillian from pop culture
| Lillian Moss | Mad Men | Secretary at Sterling Cooper advertising agency |
| Lillian Kaushtupper | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Landlady of the apartment building where Kimmy lives |
| Lillian Luthor | Supergirl | Mother of Lex Luthor and Lena Luthor |
| Lillian Mayhew | The Help | A racist woman who employs black maids in 1960s Mississippi |
| Lillian Hobbs | The Mentalist | Wife of the main character, Patrick Jane, who was killed by a serial killer |
| Lillian "Lily" Aldrin | How I Met Your Mother | One of the main characters and Ted's best friend's wife |
| Lillian "Lily" Munster | The Munsters | Matriarch of the Munster family, a TV show from the 1960s |
| Lillian "Lily" Potter | Harry Potter | Mother of the main character, Harry Potter |
| Lillian "Lily" Sloane | Star Trek: First Contact | Assistant to Zefram Cochrane in the development of the first warp drive |
Frequently Asked Questions about Lillian
| What is the meaning of the name Lillian? | The name Lillian means 'pure' or 'innocent'. |
| What is the origin of the name Lillian? | The name Lillian is of English origin. |
| Is Lillian a common name? | Lillian is a moderately popular name in the United States. It ranked #28 in popularity in 1900 and #28 in 2020. |
| What are some variations of the name Lillian? | Variations of the name Lillian include Lily, Liliana, Lilia, and Lilliana. |
| What are some famous people named Lillian? | Famous people named Lillian include Lillian Gish, an American actress, and Lillian Hellman, an American playwright. |
| Is there a famous fictional character named Lillian? | Yes, Lillian is the name of the character played by Ruth Gordon in the film 'Harold and Maude'. |