Lily (name) definition

A nineteenth century flower name from the lily. Also a diminutive of Lilian and, sometimes, of Elizabeth.

1864 Frances Eleanor Trollope: The Tale of Aunt Margaret's Trouble. All the Year Round, Aug.11th, 1866, page 100:

"Poor little thing! She is very wee and frail, isn't she? Only two months old. We came away from the north, as soon as I was able to travel. She is called Lily."

I remembered Horace having once told me that his mother's name had been Lilias.
2001 Catherine Coulter: Hemlock Bay. Jove, 2002. ISBN 0515133302 page 57:

"Lily is such a romantic name. It sounds to me like soft music; it's the sort of name to make one dream of fanciful things."

Lily smiled. " It's my grandmother's name. Coincidence, maybe, but she grew the most beautiful lilies."