Rising since 1987, #277 for girls today.
Popularity of Lilith since 1913
Babies named Lilith per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 35 |
| 1920s | 23 |
| 1930s | 9 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 26 |
| 1970s | 41 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 256 |
| 2000s | 1,353 |
| 2010s | 4,752 |
| 2020s | 7,017 |
Meaning & origin
Lilith first appeared on the U.S. baby-name charts in 1913, but it remained extremely rare for decades. The name began its sustained ascent in 1987, driven by feminist rediscovery of the Lilith myth as a symbol of equality. By 2023 it reached its peak rank of 277, with 1 in 1,447 girls receiving the name. Lilith is most popular in Alaska, Maine, and New Mexico, reflecting its appeal in states with independent-minded naming trends. The name's dark, literary resonance continues to attract parents drawn to strong, uncommon names with ancient roots.
Lilith derives from the Hebrew word layil (night) and appears in Jewish folklore as the first wife of Adam, who left Eden rather than submit. The name is linked to the akkadian lilitu (female demon) and appears in the Book of Isaiah as a term for a night creature. After centuries of obscurity, Lilith reemerged in the 1970s feminist movement as a symbol of female independence, and it has been steadily rising in use since the 1990s.
Where Lilith is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lilith” around the world
Where Lilith lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lily, Lili, Lil
Sibling names for Lilith
Names that share Lilith's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Lilith
Names whose popularity has moved with Lilith's over the last 50 years.
