Lily

Like Rose and Violet, Lily is a flower name. The word comes from the Latin “lilium” (a lily) which was borrowed from the Greek “leírion” meaning the same. The interesting thing about the word “lily” is that it ultimately originated from a non Proto-Indo-European source; in this case Egyptian. The Egyptian root “sšn” or “seshen” represented the “lotus”, a flower of utmost symbolic importance to ancient people of Egypt. The lotus flower closes and sinks underwater at night, and then rises and blossoms again at dawn (representing the sun, creation and rebirth). The Hebrews borrowed the word from the Egyptians as “shoshannah” (שׁוֹשַׁנָּה) meaning “lily” and the ancient Greeks first used “souson” from the same place. The Hebrew Shohanna gave us the names Susanna, Susan, Suzette, etc (all meaning “lily”, too). They are all related to the ancient Egyptian “lotus”; the later Greek and Latin words for the lily flower were essentially a corruption of the earlier words. In 16th century England, the word “lily” also developed into an adjective meaning “pure, white, lovely” and later “pale, colorless” (as in lily-livered). The Lily plant is a large, elegant and showy garden flower. The ancient Greeks believed they sprouted from the milk of Hera (queen of the gods). As Christianity flourished in the early first centuries A.D., the lily flower became associated with the purity and chastity of the Virgin Mother. Lilies are also a common funeral flower symbolizing innocence restored after death. Naming baby girls after flowers became quite fashionable among English-speakers in the 19th century. This naming style eventually diminished in popularity in the later 20th century but is currently enjoying a revival. Lily is by far the most popular of the flower names today. It’s hugely trendy in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Ireland. It’s a Top 20 favorite in Australia, Canada and the United States; and it fares quite well in France and Belgium.