Lily name meaning • 2025 rank #18
Lily
Lily means “lily flower; purity.” It has english flower name roots and ranked #18 among U.S. girl names in 2025.
Make it personal
Could Lily be the one?
The short version
Why parents consider Lily
Lily is a english flower name name commonly associated with “lily flower; purity.” At #18 in the 2025 U.S. rankings, it combines strong current familiarity and a concise written form.
Nature at its center
The meaning most often associated with Lily is “lily flower; purity.” That gives the name a story parents can explain without reducing it to a single definition.
Top 25 in 2025
It is firmly established among current favorites, with broad familiarity beyond the very top of the chart.
Compact and flexible
Lily has a compact 4-letter form and an open vowel ending. That concise shape leaves room for a longer middle or surname.
What does Lily mean?
Lily is commonly connected with the meaning “lily flower; purity.” Its roots are described as english flower name. Name histories often travel across languages and generations, so spelling, pronunciation, and interpretation can differ by family or cultural tradition.
Lily popularity over the last 10 years
Lily climbed 6 places from 2016 to 2025. Each year and spelling is counted separately in the Social Security Administration data.
View the complete yearly rankings
| Year | U.S. rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #18 |
| 2024 | #24 |
| 2023 | #20 |
| 2022 | #30 |
| 2021 | #31 |
| 2020 | #35 |
| 2019 | #34 |
| 2018 | #31 |
| 2017 | #33 |
| 2016 | #24 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration ↗. SSA reports spellings separately and suppresses names used fewer than five times.
How Lily looks and lives in a full name
Lily has a compact 4-letter form and an open vowel ending. That concise shape leaves room for a longer middle or surname.
On the 2025 list, It is firmly established among current favorites, with broad familiarity beyond the very top of the chart. It is compact and easy to pair with a longer middle name. Say it with your surname, then test the initials and the version you are most likely to call across the house.
Browse by style
Collections connected to Lily
Sibling names that pair with Lily
These are style-and-rhythm suggestions rather than popularity claims. They aim for a family set that feels connected without sounding matched.
Middle names for Lily
Each group tests a different kind of rhythm. Try the complete name aloud with your surname before narrowing the list.
A crisp middle can create breathing room in the full name.
A familiar traditional middle gives the pairing a grounded rhythm.
A less expected middle can add character without overpowering the first name.
These are editorial sound pairings, not rules. An honor name with personal history can matter more than perfect syllable balance.
Names like Lily
These names share parts of Lily’s origin, familiarity, length, or rhythm while keeping their own identity.
Names near Lily in the 2025 rankings
These names were chosen at a similar national frequency. Comparing them can help you decide whether Lily feels comfortably familiar or more distinctive than its neighbors.
A practical final check
Before deciding on Lily
A ranking and a meaning can start the conversation, but the right name also has to work in your family’s everyday life.
- Decide how much popularity mattersLily ranks #18, so another child with the name is reasonably likely in a larger school or community. Decide whether that familiarity feels reassuring or too common for you.
- Confirm the cultural storyLily is generally connected with english flower name roots. If that heritage is part of your choice, look beyond the short definition and learn how the name is pronounced and used within that tradition.
- Run the everyday-language testSay “This is Lily,” write it as if making an appointment, and imagine calling it from another room. Notice whether the spelling, sound, and likely nicknames still feel natural.
- Test the complete namePair Lily with the surname, middle-name candidates, and any sibling names. Check the initials, repeated sounds, and the rhythm of the full name rather than judging the first name alone.
Thoughtful next steps
Guides to use with this profile
Frequently asked questions about Lily
What does the name Lily mean?
Lily is commonly associated with “lily flower; purity.”
What is the origin of Lily?
Lily is generally described as a name with english flower name roots.
How popular is Lily?
Lily ranked #18 among U.S. girl names for babies born in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Lily a popular baby name?
Yes. Lily ranked #18 among U.S. girl names in 2025, placing it in the national Top 25. Local use can still feel different from the national ranking.
What middle names go with Lily?
Short, classic, and distinctive styles can all work with Lily. The strongest choice depends on surname rhythm, initials, and family meaning.