UK girl's name
Lilia
A feminine name of Spanish origin representing the lily 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.
Lilia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Lilia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #439, with 97 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 304 births.
This profile covers 2,911 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, 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 32% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 3,010 living people in the UK are called Lilia. 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
- • Lilia ranked #439 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 97 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 304 girls were registered as Lilia.
- • Lilia ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #397 in 2020.
- • About 3,010 living people in the UK are estimated to have Lilia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#439
2024
Births in 2024
97
Latest year
Peak year
2007
304 births
Estimated living
3,010
2026
Meaning
What does Lilia mean?
The name Lilia has its origins in the Latin word "lilium," meaning "lily." It is a feminine variant of the masculine name Lilius or Lille. This name was particularly popular in ancient Rome, where the lily flower held symbolic significance and was associated with purity, beauty, and renewal.
During the Middle Ages, the name Lilia gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions influenced by Latin and Romance languages. It was commonly used among noble families and the aristocracy, often as a nod to the lily's association with royalty and elegance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lilia can be found in the 12th century, when it was mentioned in a French text describing the life of Saint Lilia, a holy woman revered for her piety and charitable works.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lilia. One of the most famous was Lilia Ivanovna Ratkova (1881-1963), a Russian revolutionary and Bolshevik activist who played a prominent role in the October Revolution of 1917.
Another noteworthy figure was Lilia Massey (1900-1975), a British author and illustrator best known for her children's books featuring the character Bunny Rabbit. Her whimsical storytelling and charming illustrations captured the hearts of young readers worldwide.
In the world of music, Lilia Mendoza (1891-1986) was a renowned Mexican singer and composer, celebrated for her contributions to the ranchera and mariachi genres. Her powerful voice and emotive performances left an indelible mark on Mexican folk music.
The name Lilia also holds significance in the realm of science. Lilia Polonskaya (1923-2002) was a distinguished Russian mathematician and computer scientist, renowned for her groundbreaking work in mathematical logic and the theory of algorithms.
Lastly, Lilia Skala (1896-1994) was a celebrated Austrian-American actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her long and illustrious career. Her performances were widely acclaimed for their depth and emotional resonance.
The name Lilia has endured for centuries, carrying with it a rich tapestry of cultural and historical significance. From its Latin roots to its present-day usage, this name continues to evoke associations of beauty, purity, and elegance, making it a timeless choice for parents seeking a name with a captivating heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Lilia over time
The chart below shows babies named Lilia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Lilia, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 97 births in 2024, compared with 304 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Lilia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Lilia 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 | #459 | 454 | 5 |
| 2010s | #381 | 1,255 | 10 |
| 2000s | #860 | 1,162 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1796 | 40 | 4 |
Geography
Where Lilia is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Lilia. 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.
Lilia ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #397 in 2020.
Across the UK
Lilia in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#541 in 2024
15 years of NRS records, 89 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#397 in 2020
7 years of NISRA records, 25 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Lilia
-
Lilia Valutyte
student
murdered English child
2013-2022
-
Lilia Kopylova
dancer
British ballroom dancer
1978-
Related
Names similar to Lilia
- 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
Lilia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Lilia in the UK right now?
In 2024, Lilia was ranked #439 for girls in England and Wales, with 97 births registered.
When was Lilia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 304 babies registered as Lilia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Lilia?
A feminine name of Spanish origin representing the lily flower.
How many people are called Lilia in the UK?
A total of 2,911 babies have been registered as Lilia across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 89 more in Scotland and 25 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Lilia most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Lilia ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #397 in 2020. 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.