Lilac

“a flowering plant known for its fragrant purple blooms” — Associated with femininity

English origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#5197US 2023

25Births / yr

↑Rising

220All-time births

📅 Since 197900

How to pronounce Lilac

LEYE·lak

/ˈlaɪ.ˌlæk/ · stress on LEYE · 2 syllables

“a flowering plant known for its fragrant purple blooms”

Associated with femininity · English origin

What does Lilac mean and where does it come from?

Lilac is derived from the name of the flowering shrub known for its beautiful and aromatic purple flowers. The name has been used in English-speaking countries and is associated with femininity, beauty, and nature. It became popular in the 19th century and is often chosen for its floral associations

Cultural significance

Lilac has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of a flowering plant known for its fragrant purple blooms.

Peak popularity

Reached #5180 in 2020 — currently #5197 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Lilac?

Lilac works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Lilac Grace

How popular is Lilac right now?

Rising fast — up 541 spots — currently #5197 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1995–2023#5197 · Top 3.8%

1995

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5197	25	▲ up 541 · +14% births
2022	#5738	22	▼ down 562 · -12% births
2021	#5176	25	▲ up 4 · +4% births
2020	#5180	24	▲ up 3434 · +85% births
2015	#8614	13	▲ up 810 · +8% births
2010	#9424	12	▲ up 3089 · +100% births
1995	#12513	6	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Lilac

Best Year2021Rank #5176

Peak Count25

Average Rank#7406

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1995 - 20237 years

The story of Lilac

Lilac is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1979. With 220 total births recorded, Lilac remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #12513 in 1995 to #5197 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Lilac in 2020:

Olivia Emma Ava Charlotte Sophia

Lilac by decade

Lilac peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
1970s	5
1990s	13
2000s	41
2010s ★	137
2020s	24

💎Lilac has only 220 total recorded births since 1979 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Lilac?

Common

LilLilieLily

What names sound and feel like Lilac?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Lilac also consider these

Israel · flower, lily

Liha

English · A meaningful name

Tilar

English · variant of Tila

Dilay

English · A meaningful name

Lijah

USA · My God is

Lizah

Hebrew · God's promise

How is Lilac written in other languages?

Lilach

HEBREW

Common questions about the name Lilac

What does the name Lilac mean?

Lilac means "a flowering plant known for its fragrant purple blooms" — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Lilac?

Lilac is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Lilac have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Lilac?

Lilac originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Lilac?

Lilac is a two-syllable name pronounced L AY1 L AE2 K. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Lilac trending right now?

Lilac is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.