UK name, mostly girls
Lian
A feminine Chinese name meaning "lotus flower".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 151 boys.
Lian is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Lian popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2771, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 14 births.
This profile covers 165 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 64% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 171 living people in the UK are called Lian. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Lian ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 14 girls were registered as Lian.
- • Lian ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #512 in 1983.
- • Lian is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 171 living people in the UK are estimated to have Lian as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 52.2% of Lian registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2771
2024
Births in 2024
9
Latest year
Peak year
2021
14 births
Estimated living
171
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Lian
In England and Wales birth records, Lian has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 47.8% of registrations are for boys and 52.2% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Lian registered for boys
- Ranked #1,282 in 2024
- 21 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (21 births)
Lian registered for girls
- Ranked #2,771 in 2024
- 9 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2021 (14 births)
Meaning
What does Lian mean?
The name Lian has its origins in various cultures and languages around the world. In Chinese, the name is often written as 莲 or 连, and it means "lotus" or "to connect/unite". The lotus flower holds significant symbolism in Buddhism, representing purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening.
In Vietnamese, the name Lian is a variation of the name Lien, which also means "lotus". This name is popular among Vietnamese families, particularly those with Buddhist influences or connections to the natural world.
The name Lian can also be found in Irish and Scottish Gaelic traditions, where it is derived from the name Liam, meaning "strong-willed warrior" or "protector". This variation is often seen as a feminine form of the name.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Lian dates back to ancient China, where it appeared in various literary works and historical records. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), there was a renowned poet and calligrapher named Lian Po, who was celebrated for his artistic talents and contributions to Chinese literature.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lian. In the 20th century, Lian Gong (1919-2003) was a Chinese artist and sculptor known for her works that blended traditional Chinese techniques with modern sensibilities. Her sculptures can be found in prominent museums and collections around the world.
Another famous bearer of the name is Lian Ski (1945-2022), a Norwegian singer and songwriter who gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with her folk-inspired music. She was a prominent figure in the Norwegian music scene and received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions.
In the literary world, Lian Hearn is the pen name of Gillian Rubinstein (born 1959), a British-Australian writer best known for her historical fiction series, "Tales of the Otori", which is set in a fictional medieval Japan.
Lian Chikako (born 1958) is a Japanese actress and singer who has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout her career. She is also known for her philanthropic efforts and advocacy work.
Lastly, Lian Skaf (born 1973) is a Lebanese-Australian fashion designer and entrepreneur. She founded the successful fashion label Lian Skaf and has been recognized for her elegant and sophisticated designs, which have been worn by numerous celebrities and public figures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Lian over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Lian in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Lian, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Lian by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Lian was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2683 | 53 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3836 | 53 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3055 | 40 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2333 | 19 | 3 |
Geography
Where Lian is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Lian. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Lian ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #512 in 1983.
Across the UK
Lian in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#512 in 1983
2 years of NRS records, 7 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Lian
-
Lian Wharton
cricketer
English cricketer (born 1977)
1977-
-
Lian Goodwin
swimmer
British synchronised swimmer
1968-
Related
Names similar to Lian
- Lily 72,956
- Lucy 70,663
- Lauren 50,664
- Leah 33,185
- Lola 24,525
- Layla 24,520
- Laura 23,471
- Lilly 21,714
- Lydia 18,353
- Libby 14,515
- Lara 13,415
- Lacey 13,406
FAQ
Lian: questions and answers
How popular is the name Lian in the UK right now?
In 2024, Lian was ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Lian most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 14 babies registered as Lian in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Lian?
A feminine Chinese name meaning "lotus flower".
How many people are called Lian in the UK?
A total of 165 babies have been registered as Lian across the 24 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 7 more in Scotland.
Where is Lian most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Lian ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #512 in 1983. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.