Lillian in Chinese
Lillian in Chinese is 莉莲 (Lì Lián).
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- lily, purity
Lillian is a name of English origin, generally understood to mean "lily, purity". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1920s.
3 ways to write Lillian
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
莉莲
Lì Lián
The standard transliteration of Lillian: 莉 (lì, "jasmine"), 莲 (lián, "lotus"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 莉 (lì) carries "lil", 莲 (lián) carries "lian". The tone contour is 4-2 (falling, rising).
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 莉
lì
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
jasmine
- 莲
lián
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
lotus
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
晓荷
Xiǎo Hé
Inspired by "lily, purity": 晓 (xiǎo, "dawn; to understand") + 荷 (hé, "lotus"), expressing flowers, trees and natural beauty.
Why these characters?
Because Lillian is linked to "lily", the name leads with 晓 (dawn; to understand); 荷 (lotus) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 晓
xiǎo
Tone 3 · 10 strokes (simplified)
dawn; to understand
- 荷
hé
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
lotus
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
莉梅
Lì Méi
莉 (lì, "jasmine") + 梅 (méi, "plum blossom"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 莉 (lì), the same opening character as the transliteration 莉莲, for the "lil" sound, and replaces the rest with 梅 ("plum blossom") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 莉
lì
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
jasmine
- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Lillian
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Lillian ranked 51 among names recorded for girls, with 24,902 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 439,193 girls named Lillian since 1880, with the high point in 1920 (10,049 births) and the busiest decade being the 1920s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #366 to #27 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1920
- Peak decade
- 1920s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 439,193
More About Lillian in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Lillian offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Lillian, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Kaylee in Chinese, Mackenzie in Chinese, and Sofia in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Shelby in Chinese, Cassandra in Chinese, and Alexa in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Lillian, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Lillian to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Lillian in Chinese?
莉莲 (Lì Lián), or 莉蓮 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Lillian with real meaning?
Try 晓荷 (Xiǎo Hé): dawn; to understand + lotus, inspired by "lily, purity". For something that still sounds like Lillian, 莉梅 (Lì Méi) is a middle ground.
Is Lillian written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 莉莲 becomes 莉蓮; the changed characters are 莲→蓮. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.