Lilya Girl

Popularity: #919 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LIL-yah /ˈlɪl.jə/

Origin: Hebrew; Arabic; Slavic

Meaning: God is my light (Hebrew); night (Arabic); lily (Slavic)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lilya has its roots in the Hebrew word "שושן" (shushan), meaning "lily" or "rose." This term was adopted into Greek as "κρίνος" (krínos), which also denotes a lily, and later made its way into Latin as "lilium." The transition into various languages saw the name evolve, with forms appearing in Old French and eventually entering English. The floral symbolism associated with lilies, representing purity and beauty, has contributed to the name's enduring appeal across cultures.

Historically, the name Lilya has been associated with various figures and traditions. In the Christian tradition, the lily is often linked to the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity and motherhood.

This connection was particularly emphasized during the Middle Ages, when the flower became a common motif in religious art and literature. The name itself, while not as prevalent in historical texts, reflects the broader cultural significance of the lily in various religious and literary contexts, including its mention in the Song of Solomon in the Hebrew Bible, which dates back to the 10th century BCE.

In addition to its biblical associations, the name Lilya has been embraced in various cultures, particularly in Slavic regions, where it is often used as a diminutive or affectionate form of names like Lilia or Liliana. The name carries connotations of grace and beauty, resonating with the qualities attributed to the flower it represents.

Throughout history, the lily has been a symbol of renewal and hope, further enhancing the name's cultural resonance and significance.

Famous people named Lilya

In this section, you will find notable people named Lilya. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lilya who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Lilya who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Lilya Brik was a Russian poet and muse best known for her association with Vladimir Mayakovsky and her role in the Russian avant-garde movement.

Lilya Kagan is a Russian-American mathematician best known for her work in topology and algebraic geometry.

Fictional characters named Lilya

The following list of fictional characters named Lilya is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Lilya is a fictional character from the film Lilya 4-ever. She is a young girl who faces extreme hardships and struggles for survival in a harsh environment.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lilya, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lilya was first seen in the United States in 1993.

Lilya has ranked as high as #6952 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Lilya has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Lilya is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lilya was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lilya.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 29 29
2024 31 31
2023 29 29
2022 33 33
2021 36 36
2020 32 32
2019 26 26
2018 28 28
2017 22 22
2016 25 25
2015 22 22
2014 33 33
2013 32 32
2012 28 28
2011 25 25
2010 26 26
2009 14 14
2008 22 22
2007 17 17
2006 17 17
2005 9 9
2004 9 9
2003 11 11
2002 11 11
2001 5 5
2000 5 5
1999 6 6
1998 6 6
1996 5 5
1993 5 5

Top States for Lilya (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 6
100%