Lily in Chinese
Lily in Chinese is 莉莉 (Lì Lì).
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- lily flower, purity
Etymologically, Lily is English and is commonly glossed as "lily flower, purity". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Lily
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
莉莉
Lì Lì
The standard transliteration of Lily: 莉 (lì, "jasmine"), 莉 (lì, "jasmine"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 莉 (lì) carries "li", 莉 (lì) carries "ly". The tone contour is 4-4 (falling, falling).
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 莉
lì
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
jasmine
- 莉
lì
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
jasmine
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
兰馨
Lán Xīn
Inspired by "lily flower, purity": 兰 (lán, "orchid") + 馨 (xīn, "fragrance; lasting fame"), expressing flowers, trees and natural beauty.
Why these characters?
The idea of "lily" behind Lily is rendered by 兰, "orchid"; 馨, "fragrance; lasting fame", completes it.
Character breakdown
25 strokes total (simplified)- 兰
lán
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
orchid
- 馨
xīn
Tone 1 · 20 strokes (simplified)
fragrance; lasting fame
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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 莉莉, for the "li" 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
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Lily
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Lily ranked 29 among names recorded for girls, with 35,872 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 142,335 girls named Lily since 1880, with the high point in 2011 (8,177 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #584 to #33 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2011
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 142,335
More About Lily in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Lily 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 Lily, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Katelyn in Chinese, Melanie in Chinese, and Caroline in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Catherine in Chinese, Paige in Chinese, and Gabrielle in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Lily, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Lily 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 Lily in Chinese?
莉莉 (Lì Lì), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 莉莉 have?
20 strokes in simplified form; per character: 莉 10, 莉 10.
Is there a Chinese name for Lily with real meaning?
Try 兰馨 (Lán Xīn): orchid + fragrance; lasting fame, inspired by "lily flower, purity". For something that still sounds like Lily, 莉梅 (Lì Méi) is a middle ground.