Lilith Overview
- Meaning: The name Lilith means “night monster,” “storm monster,” or some variation of “female demon” when translated from the Akaddian word “lilitu.”
- Gender: Lilith is usually a girl’s name
- Origin: Lilith’s first well-known use was as the alternate first wife of Adam in Jewish folklore, but could also refer to storm goddesses, disease-bearing wind spirits, or a general female demon.
- Pronunciation: You pronounce the nameLilith as “LIL-lith”
- Popularity: The name Lilith has seen steady popularity across the US
- Nicknames: Lilly, Lily, Lil, Lia, Lithie, Lulu, Tilly
- Variations: Lilis, Lilit, Lilithe, Lilythe, Lillyth, Lilyth, Lylith, Lyllyth, Lylyth
- Namesakes: Lilith Sternin from Cheers
What Does Lilith Mean?
The name “Lilith” translates from the Akkadian word “lilitu” to “night bird”, “night monster”, “night demon”, “storm goddess“, or even “female demon.” The Hebrew word “lilith” shares this meaning, though some Mesopotamian texts refer to “lilith” as wind spirits that bear disease.
Any meaning that pertains to the night or a female bird, demon, or monster comes back to this name. Some sources say the name also means “ghost” or “female vampire.”
What is the Origin of the Name Lilith?
The name Lilith has its roots in Jewish mythology as the name of Adam‘s first wife. She was supposedly banished out of the Garden of Eden and turned into a night demon for disobeying Adam (1).
How Popular is the Name Lilith?
Lilith is not the most popular girl’s name, with 995 baby girls named Lilith born in the US in 2020. Overall, the name has seen spotty recognition over the years, appearing in and out of popularity (2).
The name picked up speed in the late 1980s in the US and has seen steady growth since then. It started with a ranking at 16,000 with few Lilith babies to 3,000 with just under a thousand Lilith babies born by 2020.
How Do I Pronounce Lilith?
You pronounce the name Lilith as “LIL-ith,” with particular emphasis on the first syllable.
Is Lilith a Boy or Girl Name?
Lilith is generally a girl’s name when you consider its origins and significance in Jewish folklore. You could probably find some male variation of the name if you got creative.
Variations of Lilith
In some cases, maybe just a different spelling of the name Lilith is the way to go. You might pick from some of these:
- Lilis
- Lilit
- Lilithe
- Lilythe
- Lillyth
- Lilyth
- Lylith
- Lyllyth
- Lylyth
Nicknames for Lilith
Nicknames for Lilith can include the following:
- Lilly
- Lily
- Lil
- Lia
- Lithie
- Lulu
- Tilly
Similar Names to Lilith
Maybe you like the name Lilith fine but do not quite want to settle on that name. Luckily, a few names exist that carry the same sounds and beauty as Lilith, such as:
- Lady
- Laddie
- Laidey
- Laidy
- Laleeta
- Leida
- Leta
- Letitia
- Lidia
- Lila
- Lily
- Lil
- Lillian
- Lillie
- Lilly
- Lotte
- Lottie
- Lydia
- Lyric
- Lyrica
Middle Names for Lilith
Part of the fun of picking any name is choosing a middle name that creates a unique name for your child. Some middle names that pair great with the name Lilith could include:
- Bliss
- Dawn
- Delilah
- June
- Michelle
- Nicole
- Paige
- Pearl
- Rose
- Simone
- Victoria
Sibling Names for Lilith
Like middle names, naming two or more siblings with a similar theme in mind can be fun. So let us see what sibling names we can pair with Lilith.
For a sister:
- Alice
- Amelia
- Athene
- Aurora
- Charlotte
- Eve
- Genevieve
- Jaiden
- Luna
- Morgan
- Morgana
- Violet
For a brother:
- Adam
- Alexander
- Arthur
- Levi
- Liam
- Gabriel
- Jalon
- Jasper
- Oliver
- Silas
Famous People Named Lilith
Lilith is not necessarily a household name, but there are a few Liliths out there who you may know.
- Lilith Nagar: Israeli singer.
- Lilith Saintcrow: American writer.
- Lilith Strangenburg: German actress.
Lilith in Popular Culture
The name Lilith usually pertains to some variation of Adam’s alternate wife in Jewish mythology or the queen of demons. Besides that Lilith, we got a few pretty awesome ones, including the following:
- Dr. Lilith Ritter: A character in Nightmare Alley.
- Dr. Lilith Sternin: Wife of Dr. Frasier Crane from the television shows Cheers and Frasier.
- Lilith Clay: A superheroine in the DC Comics universe.
- Lilith: The title character in the Lilith’s Brood books by Octavia E. Butler.
- Lilith: A villain in the Nightside series by S. Green.
- Lilith: A demon in Shadowhunters.
- Lilith: A demon in Lucifer.
- Lilith: A witch from The Owl House.
- Lilith Weatherwax: A character in ‘‘Witches Abroad’.‘
- Lilith: A villain in Doctor Who.
- Lilith: The vampire Goddess in True Blood.
- Lilith, or Madam Satan/Mother of Demons: A villain from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Lilith FAQs
We have covered many facts about the name Lilith so far, but there are some other tidbits to cover before we wrap up.
What is Lilith In Astrology?
This question refers to the Black Moon Lilith or the dark moon. This is the path in the moon’s orbit when it is closest to Earth.
Like everyone has a zodiac sign, everyone also has a Lilith placement along the moon’s path. It refers to your inner authority and how much you defy norms.
What Is the Biblical Meaning of Lilith?
The name Lilith has several meanings in the Bible, but “night monster” is the main one. Other meanings include “night monster,” “night hag,” or “screech owl.”
Lilith refers to a powerful queen of demons or a witch in medieval demonology.
Is It a Bad Idea to Name a Girl Lilith?
So far, the name Lilith has had plenty of callbacks to witches, monsters, and other evil creatures. That may give some people pause when choosing the name.
However, let us remember the Lilith placement in astrology. Such a thing refers to how you go against the grain of society and how you defy norms.
While Lilith does refer to a witch or demon, it also refers to a woman who tried to forge her own path. When people ask you why you named your child Lilith, refer them to that meaning.
That same meaning might give the child some confidence later.
