Declining since 2017, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Lilou since 2002
Babies named Lilou per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 33 |
| 2010s | 223 |
| 2020s | 106 |
Meaning & origin
Lilou is a modern, melodic name that first entered U.S. baby name records in 2002. Its popularity peaked in 2016, and since 2017 it has been in decline; in 2025 it ranked 7,133th with a rarity of 1 in 107,151 births. The name's sound aligns with French-influenced coinages, though its exact origins are unclear. It has not appeared among any state's top name lists, reflecting its niche appeal.
Lilou first appeared in U.S. records in 2002, likely as a modern coinage blending sounds from French names like Liliane or Louise with the popular -ou ending. It gained some attention after the 1997 French film 'The Fifth Element' featured a character named Leeloo, though the spelling Lilou is distinct. The name's rise in the 2010s reflects broader trends for light, vowel-heavy feminine names.
“Lilou” around the world
Where Lilou lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
320
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lili, Lou, Lulu
Variants: Leeloo, Lylou
Sibling names for Lilou
Names that share Lilou's style, for a brother or sister.
