Lilliam is a name of Latin origin, derived from the male name William. The name William itself comes from the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." Therefore, Lilliam can be translated to mean "resolute protection."
The name William has been popular throughout history, particularly among royalty. It was borne by several English kings, including William the Conqueror who invaded England in 1066. This might explain why variations of the name like Lilliam have gained popularity over time.
However, unlike William which has consistently ranked high in popularity charts, Lilliam is a more uncommon name. It's not clear when or how the female version first came into use, but it likely emerged as a variation among families who wanted to use the strong and protective meaning associated with William for their daughters.
Today, Lilliam remains a unique and distinctive name, perhaps chosen by parents looking for something different yet meaningful for their child. Despite its rarity, it carries a strong historical legacy and a powerful meaning that makes it stand out.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Lilliam has seen a varied number of births in the United States over the years, with fluctuations ranging from as low as 5 to as high as 23 births in a single year.
From 1886 to 1927, the number of annual births with the name Lilliam was relatively low, with most years seeing between 5 and 14 births. However, there was a significant increase in popularity from 1953 onwards, with the highest peak occurring in 1966 when 23 babies were named Lilliam.
The popularity of the name Lilliam continued to fluctuate throughout the latter half of the 20th century and into the early 21st century. Between 1987 and 2023, the number of annual births with the name Lilliam ranged from as low as 5 to a recent high of 9 in 2008.
Overall, while there have been periods where the name Lilliam was more popular than others, it has remained relatively uncommon throughout history. With a total of 819 recorded births over the years, Lilliam is certainly not one of the most common names in the United States.