Lilian

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feminine first name of Latin origin, derived from the word for the lily flower and borne by many women
2. A girl's or woman's given name traditionally linked to the lily, a flower associated with purity
3. A personal first name given mainly to women, with roots in the Latin word for the lily

Etymology: The name Lilian is generally traced to Late Latin "lilium," meaning "lily," the flower long associated with purity and whiteness. Its use as a given name dates back to the sixteenth century, and it fits a tradition of naming girls after flowers that was common in Europe at the time. There is also an older theory that Lilian began as a pet form of Elizabeth, with a diminutive ending giving something like "Lily" or "Lizzie." Scholars do not consider this the most likely explanation, since the Latin flower name accounts for the form and the meaning more convincingly.