Given name & surname
Lilian
“God is my oath”·“My God is bountiful”·“resembling the lily”
In English use, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. “God is my oath” is the etymological interpretation given for Elisabeth, the same name in a different spelling. “My God is bountiful” is another recorded interpretation, but the two should be kept distinct rather than blended into one literal translation. Lilian is a variant of Lillian. One Latin interpretation is “resembling the lily.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. “God is my oath” is the etymological interpretation given for Elisabeth, the same name in a different spelling. “My God is bountiful” is another recorded interpretation, but the two should be kept distinct rather than blended into one literal translation. Lilian is a variant of Lillian. One Latin interpretation is “resembling the lily.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the usual English spelling of Elisabeth. The related biblical forms connect it with the Hebrew name Elisheba, borne by Aaron’s wife.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. In French usage, Lilian is a masculine form of Liliane. In English use, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. The shared background comes through Elizabeth: English generally uses Elizabeth with a z, where many European languages retain Elisabeth with an s. Elisabeth is connected with Elisheba; its final element may have been reshaped through association with Hebrew shabbath, “sabbath.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. The history of Elizabeth gives this family its wider story. The New Testament Elisabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. English royal associations include Elizabeth I and, in the twentieth century, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and her daughter Elizabeth II. Elizabeth’s familiar forms developed along several paths, including Eliza, Beth, Bess, Betty, Libby and Lizzie.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Lilian through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 20,470
- 0 boys · 20,470 girls
- Most popular year
- 2007
- 786 babies
- 2025
- 537
- #560 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +4%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 537 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 560 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 4.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 786 in 2007. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (75). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 29,757 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Lilian’s family of names
In English usage, Lilian is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. In French usage, Lilian is a masculine form of Liliane. Lilian has an alternative spelling in Lillian.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Lilian has relatives in 24 languages.
22 related names in 24 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 9
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Lilydiminutive · English
- Elizabethfull form · English
- Lillianvariant · English, German
- Lilianavariant · German, Spanish
- Lillydiminutive · English
- Lilianevariant · German, French
- Liliasvariant · English
- Lildiminutive · English
Show 1 moreShow fewer
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 17
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Lilian
- Princess Lilian, Duchess of HallandWelsh model who became a member of the Swedish royal family (1915-2013)
- Lilian HarveyAnglo-German actress and singer1906–1968
- Lilian Garciaring announcer and singerborn 1966
- Lilian BachNigerian actressborn 1975
- Lilian CalmejaneFrench cyclistborn 1992
- Lilian Baelssecond wife of king Leopold III of Belgium (1916–2002)
- Lilian Jackson BraunAmerican mystery writer (1913-2011)
- Lilian BondBritish actress (1908–1991)
- Lilian GibbsBritish botanist, botanical collector, scientific illustrator, explorer and mountaineer (1870-1925)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Lilian, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Isabel
“my God is bountiful” · “a giving woran”
>99% girls
Elisa
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Elise
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Lizzy
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls
Sadie
“princess; lady” · “princess”
>99% girls
Isabelle
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Sady
“princess; lady”
>99% girls
Betsi
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls