Lillian

Lilian, Lillian (f) Gaelic Lileas. The Scottish forms of
the name are Lilias or Lillias, which appear to link with
the name of a Spanish martyr Liliosa. The latter name
is rendered as Liliana in Italian (see Burgio, Dizionario
dei Nomi Propri di Persona). The origin of all these
forms is probably Latin lilium, ‘lily,’ which has long been a
symbol of purity. Susan also means ‘lily’ in Hebrew.
Lily, Gaelic Lilidh, has itself been used as a Christian
name, especially when flower names were in vogue from
i88o onwards. Lilian/Lillian has been quietly used in
Scotland, and is now decidedly unfashionable.

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