Lilja

Meaning of Lilja

Lilja is a feminine name of Old Norse origin, simply meaning “lily,” the flower long associated with purity and quiet elegance. Pronounced LIL-yah, it combines a clear, two-syllable structure with a soft vocalic ending that suits contemporary Anglo-American naming preferences. Though firmly rooted in Finnish, Icelandic and Swedish traditions, Lilja has quietly gained a foothold in the United States since its first appearances in the late 1990s. Today it hovers around the 930th spot on national baby-name charts, with roughly a dozen to twenty newborns given the name each year—enough to remain distinctive without sparking endless pronunciation tutorials. Its modest rise reflects a growing appetite for names that balance botanical charm with a hint of Scandinavian heritage.

Pronunciation

• Pronunced as LIL-yah (/ˈlɪl.jə/)

• Lilliana
• Lila
• Lily
• Lillian
• Lilith
• Lilia
• Lilou