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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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IamnotwhouthinkIam · 25/01/2021 20:17

Generally I dislike names that end in y/ie - I typically find them too cutesy. However Lily is one of my few exceptions - I think it is a classic, just one that is very subject to trends (I don't think it's been as popular as it is now since the late Victorian period!).But I can imagine a Grandmother Lily as well as a baby/young girl.

It's also an incredibly pretty, lyrical sounding name to me. So while I personally don't think I would use Lily because of it's popularity (although I would consider the more exotic, elegant Lilia instead), it doesn't stop it from being a lovely name imo.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 25/01/2021 20:19

I don’t like it personally. But that’s because I cannot stand the smell of lilies, and wouldn’t use a name relating to the flowers I dislike so much.

EugeniaGrace · 25/01/2021 20:21

I love it too. It’s one of my favourite names.

I wasn’t able to use it because it was already the name of one of my cousins. I had to work hard to think of a name that I liked as much.

HeronLanyon · 25/01/2021 20:28

You thkight about Elizabeth - nn Libby ? Much nicer IMO that Lily.
I like Lily but do see it as quite a ‘young cute’ name - prefer slightly stronger names generally.

HeronLanyon · 25/01/2021 20:29

harry you and me both and so overpowering also no escape from the awful
Smell.

EdgeOfACoin · 25/01/2021 20:50

I find it a bit of a wet, wimpy name (maybe 'lily-livered' has something to do with it). I don't have a problem with flower names in principle - for instance, I like Rose, Iris, Ivy and Violet.

Lily, Willow and Daisy just strike me as a bit feeble.

Smiledwiththerisingsun · 25/01/2021 21:00

Love it.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 25/01/2021 21:01

Love Lily

partyatthepalace · 25/01/2021 21:05

I find it really drippy, particularly for an adult.
The other thing I always think is it will be unfortunate she is a big build or a bit chubby.

You did ask...

MsTSwift · 25/01/2021 21:07

Really really dull and unimaginative. Sorry.

peapotter · 25/01/2021 21:09

I also think it’s a bit cutesy and wet. Nice enough, but not a “strong” name. I can’t imagine having a boss called Lily. (I know, stereotypes and all that but you did ask).

SirSamuelVimes · 25/01/2021 21:19

@partyatthepalace

I find it really drippy, particularly for an adult. The other thing I always think is it will be unfortunate she is a big build or a bit chubby.

You did ask...

There's a very overweight girl in my dd's year at school called Lily. She's become one of those children who always seems to be called by her full name, eg. Lily Rodgers*, even though there's not another Lily in the class to require the differentiation. I wonder if it's because the name Lily on its own doesn't 'match' the girl? Interesting.
ame88 · 25/01/2021 21:23

I'm currently pregnant and Lily is my girls name. It's my nans name and even if it wasn't I love it. I also love the nickname Lil but that's probably because of my nanny Lil 💕

Original poster
Hightide1 · 25/01/2021 21:24

@HeronLanyon I do like Libby but can't get on board with Elizabeth- I feel like I should like it because it's a classic but I just don't!
To all those saying it's wet etc. I can see where you're coming from, and that's probably my main reservation. I definitely prefer a strong to cutesy name and Lily is probably the only one on the list that I see as "pretty" rather than strong, so I don't know why I keep coming back to it, but I do. I don't want her to be stereotyped by her name. On the other hand I think it's ridiculous to cross of a name just because it's softer sounding and floral rather than fiery....writing this down I can see that I'm probably really overthinking it!
Really appreciate all the feedback, good and bad.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hightide1 · 25/01/2021 21:28

That is really interesting. We are quite a petite family so I have just assumed she will be a slight build too (maybe that's even influenced me thinking about it), but of course you never know what's coming!

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Original poster
Hightide1 · 25/01/2021 21:30

That last comment was meant to be a reply to @partyatthepalace and @SirSamuelVimes

OP posts:
thebestnamehere · 25/01/2021 21:32

Sorry, it's bloody awful. Every other girl is Lily at school. Pick something original for Gods sake!!!!

Masai71 · 25/01/2021 21:39

Common and weak-sounding. Give her a kick ass name!

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

Chickoletta · 25/01/2021 21:52

Beautiful. It was on my list.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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!