Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
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