Holding steady.
Popularity of Lille since 1889
Babies named Lille per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lille's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 27 |
| 1920s | 29 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 18 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Lille has been recorded in U.S. births since 1889, but it remains an exceedingly rare choice. The name's peak year was 1889 itself, suggesting it may have originally been a one-time invention or a spelling variant that never gained traction. In 2025, the name's use is stable but minimal, with no rank in official statistics and a 1-in-N figure that, while not computed, indicates fewer than five annual births. This obscurity gives Lille a distinctive feel, but its lack of clear etymology or cultural resonance means it offers little beyond novelty. Parents drawn to single-syllable, soft-sounding names might also consider the more established Lily or Mae.
The name Lille is likely a modern coinage or a variant of the name Lil, which is often a short form of Lily or Lillian. It may also be derived from the French city of Lille, though this connection is unconfirmed. Records show sporadic use in the United States dating to the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Lille
Names that share Lille's style, for a brother or sister.
