Lilymae

Meaning & origin

Lilymae is a rare, modern compound name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1920. Over its century of use, it has never broken into widespread popularity, but its trajectory has been rising since 2004. The name reached its peak rank of 7,133 in 2023, with a 1-in-107,151 frequency in 2025. This gentle upward trend mirrors a broader revival of vintage-style double names, particularly those combining classic floral and familiar middle names. Lilymae remains a distinctive choice, never ranking among the top names nationally in any decade, but its growing use suggests a quiet appeal among parents seeking a name that feels both old-fashioned and fresh.

Lilymae is a modern compound name formed from Lily, a flower name that has been used since the 19th century, and Mae, a variant of May. May itself originated as a short form of Mary or Margaret but later became associated with the month of May or the Roman goddess Maia. The combination likely arose in the early 20th century, with the first recorded U.S. birth year being 1920. It remains a rare but steady choice, often reflecting a trend of pairing floral or vintage names.