A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lillia since 1881
Babies named Lillia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2013, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lillia's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 52 |
| 1890s | 84 |
| 1900s | 82 |
| 1910s | 140 |
| 1920s | 197 |
| 1930s | 134 |
| 1940s | 83 |
| 1950s | 107 |
| 1960s | 74 |
| 1970s | 43 |
| 1980s | 67 |
| 1990s | 142 |
| 2000s | 522 |
| 2010s | 600 |
| 2020s | 306 |
Meaning & origin
Lillia is a delicate and melodic variant of Lilia, itself a name with dual possible roots: either as a feminine form of William (meaning 'helmet') or as an elaboration of the flower name Lily. The name first recorded in the U.S. in 1881, but after a period of disuse, it began a sustained resurgence starting in 1986. As of the latest data in 2025, Lillia ranked 2998, with a rarity factor of 1 in 29,223, reflecting its rise but still uncommon status. Its peak popularity occurred in its first year, 1881, when it was given to a handful of girls. Lillia has not yet appeared in any state's top 1000 names, suggesting it remains a niche choice. The name shares stylistic kinship with other floral and vintage revivals like Violet, Hazel, and Alice for girls, and classic masculine names such as Oliver and Henry for brothers.
Lillia is a spelling variant of Lilia, itself a feminine form of William (from Old French Guillaume, of Germanic origin, meaning 'helmet' or 'will') or a direct elaboration of the flower name Lily. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, often as an elegant alternative to Lily or Lillian.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lily, Lia, Lill
Sibling names for Lillia
Names that share Lillia's style, for a brother or sister.
