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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Popularity aside, thoughts on Lily?

93 replies

Hightide1 · 25/01/2021 18:55

Just as the title says really. I know Lily is very popular but what do people think? I love that it's simple, classic and doesn't particularly stereotype a person (imo Lily could be from any class - for want of a better description, and age as it has been popular for some time). BUT I do care what people think, so please share your honest opinion.

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MBb217 · 26/01/2021 21:01

I love Lily, one of my favourites. Might be popular but I’m a teacher and haven’t come across as many as you might think!

Amelia891 · 26/01/2021 20:51

I love it, very pretty.

KindnessCrusader · 26/01/2021 11:03

I don't think it's a very strong name. I also think the flower is stinky. But lots of people obviously love it because there are so many little girls with the name Lily.

GreenSlide · 26/01/2021 11:01

It's a very pretty name. When I worked in a nursing home there was a resident called Lilly and it reminds me of her, she was a real lady. Who cares if people think it's overused? If you like it, go for it.

BlackBucketOfCheese · 26/01/2021 10:59

I really dislike it.
Ugly flower and ugly name.
I know I’m in a minority.

SionnachRua · 26/01/2021 10:55

It's a bit like Ella to me. I like that it's simple, I like that it could be someone of any age...but I do hear it and think "well, that's a boring choice".

Sausagedog1 · 26/01/2021 10:52

My grandma is a Lily and before the surge in popularity I thought it was so pretty and unusual.
Now it is so overused it has become quite dull but it is still a lovely name. Popularity does tend to take the shine off names unfortunately.

Chilldonaldchill · 26/01/2021 09:40

I quite like it. I know several of all ages and backgrounds. I don't think of it as down-market at all.

AllMyPrettyOnes · 26/01/2021 09:37

Dull and unimaginative now.

Enko · 26/01/2021 09:29

Good luck op im rather meh on Lily not sure why as I know a couple of lovely Lily's I think its the Lils nm I hate

Original poster
Hightide1 · 26/01/2021 07:48

Wow, who knew a name could be so devisive. I do love it, but also have reservations which this post has confirmed. Back to the drawing board I guess.

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 26/01/2021 07:31

I also thought of Lillian (a great name and v underused for decades) or Lydia. ?

MercyBodle · 25/01/2021 23:08

Lovely name.

Masai71 · 25/01/2021 22:58

Sorry if I sounded mean OP.

Lillith, Elizabeth, Lillian or Delilah could all have Lily as a nickname. It's worth remembering that you're giving a name to person who is going to be an adult woman for a lot longer than she is your baby/toddler/little girl at home with a cutesy girly name.

rosegoldwatcher · 25/01/2021 22:51

@SirSamuelVimes - fair enough.

Am too old for these Baby Names threads; will hide them forthwith!

Firebird83 · 25/01/2021 22:47

Blah. Dull and overused.

PompomDahlia · 25/01/2021 22:41

Honestly, when I hear someone doing an announcement with Lily as the name I think "oh. Bit boring and unimaginative."

Paddingtonthebear · 25/01/2021 22:30

My adopted pet is called Lily and I’ve found that many, many other pets are too. It’s possibly more popular now as a pet name than a child’s name

SirSamuelVimes · 25/01/2021 22:25

@rosegoldwatcher

Lily is a beautiful name! Who gives a tuppenny damn if some people consider it to be 'common' or wimpy.

Do you love it OP? If so, do not give two sh*ts about anyone else's negative opinions!

If I had had daughters they would have been named Lucy (Lucinda) and Nancy.

I think if she was dead set and convinced she loved it, she wouldn't be asking!
MsTSwift · 25/01/2021 22:12

We know loads (dds 12 and 14). Really common at least one in each class confusingly dd2 has 3 in her friendship group...

rosegoldwatcher · 25/01/2021 22:06

Lily is a beautiful name! Who gives a tuppenny damn if some people consider it to be 'common' or wimpy.

Do you love it OP? If so, do not give two sh*ts about anyone else's negative opinions!

If I had had daughters they would have been named Lucy (Lucinda) and Nancy.

Notmydaughteryoubitch · 25/01/2021 21:56

I'm biased because my DD5 is Lily but I love it, we don't know any other Lilys so not sure its as popular these days. Her middle name is Iris which I love too.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 25/01/2021 21:54

I really like it. It was top of my lost for a girl for years, bit we were using a name of a flower for the middle name after a family member so it would sound a bit silly with 2 flower names.

Chickoletta · 25/01/2021 21:52

Beautiful. It was on my list.

SenorFrog · 25/01/2021 21:42

It was really popular about 5-15 years ago. I have a name that was popular about the same before I was born, I absolutely hate it, it's so ageing and has always felt dreary to me. That's how I see Lily for babies today. Sorry