Lillie is a name of French origin, derived from the word "lilas", which means "lilac". The lilac is a popular flowering shrub that produces clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. The name Lillie is often associated with these beautiful blooms and their delicate scent.
The use of Lillie as a given name began in the 19th century, when it was first introduced in France. It quickly gained popularity throughout Europe and eventually made its way to other parts of the world. Today, Lillie is still a relatively uncommon name, but it has been used consistently over time, with peaks in popularity during the late Victorian era.
In literature, one notable example of the name Lillie can be found in Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest". The character Cecily Cardew has a cousin named Lillie who is mentioned throughout the story. This portrayal may have contributed to the name's appeal at the time and helped to solidify its place in popular culture.
Overall, Lillie is a charming and unique name with a rich history rooted in French language and culture. Its connection to the fragrant lilac flower adds an element of beauty and grace to this elegant moniker.
The name Lillie experienced significant popularity from the late 19th to early mid-20th century, peaking between 1912 and 1923 with over 3000 births per year each year except for 1924. After 1925, usage declined steadily until the name became quite rare by the late 20th century, reaching lows of around 30-40 births annually from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in popularity, with annual births ranging from approximately 350 to 450 since 2000. As of 2023, Lillie has recorded a total of 158,067 births over the period covered by these statistics.