How Many People Are Named Lillian?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Lillian

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 4,928 living people in the United States currently have the first name Lillian. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,403 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #520 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~4,928CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,403Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#520U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2011 (169 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~4,928
Historical Births (SSA)
5,403
All-Time Rank
#520
Historical Peak
2011

Key Insights for Lillian

Estimated Living Bearers
~4,928 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#520
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
2011
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
4.5% Male · 95.5% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~616 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Lillian

Living Population Model
~4,928

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,403

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,046

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
17 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2011

Highest annual total: 169 registrations in 2011.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-4%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Lillian has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Lillian (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2011 (~169 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201016810158
201116910159
201216910159
201316910159
201416910159
201516910159
201616810158
201716710157
201816610156
201916510155
202016410154
202116210152
202216010150
20231589149
20241569147

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
3/100
1950s
3/100
1960s
4/100
1970s
7/100
1980s
15/100
1990s
27/100
2000s
94/100
2010s
98/100
2020s
47/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Lillian is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (95.5% female births).

Male: 4.5% (~244 births)Female: 95.5% (~5,159 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Lillian

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Lillian in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Lillian appeared 3,046 times, ranking #330 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,046 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#330
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Lillian Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~616 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~61612.5%
Texas (TX)~4539.2%
Florida (FL)~3356.8%
New York (NY)~3016.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1974%
Illinois (IL)~1923.9%
Ohio (OH)~1773.6%
Georgia (GA)~1633.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 4,928 people named Lillian are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 17 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Lillian: 17 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lillian

How many people in the U.S. are named Lillian?

Approximately 4,928 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Lillian. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,403 birth applications for Lillian between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Lillian?

Lillian ranks #520 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Lillian as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Lillian most popular in America?

The name Lillian reached its peak historical popularity in 2011, when 169 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Lillian?

Lillian has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Lillian?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Lillian is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (95.5% female births).

Where is the name Lillian most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Lillian resides in California, with approximately 616 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Lillian in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Lillian appeared 3,046 times in census returns, ranking #330 in official 2020 returns.

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