Lily or Lilly can be confusing because both spellings are used as names. Lily is the more common spelling and is also the standard spelling for the beautiful flowering plant. Lilly is an accepted variant often used as a personal name.
Lily or Lilly is a common spelling confusion, especially when writing names or talking about the beautiful flower. Both forms appear online, but Lily is the standard spelling for the flower and a widely used personal name. Lilly is also used as a name and surname, making the choice depend on the context.
If you are unsure which spelling to use, this guide explains Lily or Lilly in simple terms. Learn the correct spelling, meaning, pronunciation, and common usage so you can confidently choose the right form.
If you are unsure which spelling to use, this guide will explain the difference between Lily and Lilly, their meanings, and the correct usage. By the end, you will know which spelling fits your context best.
Lily or Lilly at a Glance
If you are talking about the flower, the correct standard spelling is lily.
If you are talking about a person’s name, both Lily and Lilly can be correct. A person’s chosen or official spelling should always be respected. Dictionary.com lists Lilly as a variant of the given name Lily. (Dictionary.com)
So, the easiest rule is:
- Lily = standard spelling for the flower.
- Lily = common spelling for the personal name.
- Lilly = valid variant of the personal name.
- Lilly = not the standard spelling of the flower.
What Does Lily Mean?
Lily is the standard English word for a type of flowering plant. Cambridge defines a lily as a plant with large, usually bell-shaped flowers on long stems. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Oxford also lists lily as a noun and gives lilies as its plural form. Its word history traces the term through Old English lilie to Latin lilium and Greek leirion. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
Examples include:
- The lily is blooming in the garden.
- She bought three white lilies.
- A lily floated on the pond.
- The vase was filled with fresh lilies.
What Does Lilly Mean?
Lilly is mainly encountered as a personal name rather than the standard spelling of the flower.
As a name, Lilly is a recognized variant of Lily. Behind the Name describes Lilly as an English variant of Lily and also records its use in several Scandinavian languages. (Behind the Name)
For example:
- Lilly is my new classmate.
- Lilly sent me an email.
- I invited Lilly to the party.
In these sentences, Lilly is correct because it is the person’s actual name.
Lily vs Lilly Comparison
| Feature | Lily | Lilly |
|---|---|---|
| Standard flower spelling | Correct | Incorrect |
| Common female name | Correct | Correct |
| Name variant | Yes | Yes |
| Standard plural of flower | Lilies | Not applicable |
| British English flower spelling | Lily | Not Lilly |
| American English flower spelling | Lily | Not Lilly |
| Personal names | Yes | Yes |
| Surnames | Possible | Possible |
The main point is simple: use lily for the flower and use the person’s chosen spelling for a name.
Why Do People Confuse Lily and Lilly?
The confusion is easy to understand because the two words look almost identical.
They also have the same usual pronunciation. That means hearing the word does not tell you which spelling a person uses.
The extra l in Lilly makes the name look like it could be another spelling of the flower. However, names often have established variants that do not apply to ordinary vocabulary.
For example:
The lily is beautiful.
Here, lily refers to the flower.
Lilly is beautiful.
Here, Lilly refers to a person.
The context changes the role of the word.
Is Lily or Lilly Correct for a Flower?
Lily is correct.
Major dictionaries use lily as the standard English spelling for the flower. Merriam-Webster lists lily as a noun and gives lilies as its plural. (Merriam-Webster)
Oxford and Cambridge likewise use lily as the standard dictionary headword. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Correct
The lily has opened its petals.
Incorrect in standard flower usage
The lilly has opened its petals.
The second spelling may look natural, but it is not the standard spelling of the flower.
Is Lilly a Correct Name?
Yes.
Lilly is a legitimate personal name. Dictionary.com explicitly lists Lilly as a variant of the female given name Lily. (Dictionary.com)
That means you should not automatically correct someone’s name from Lilly to Lily.
For example:
Lilly Johnson joined our team.
If that is her official name, Lilly is completely appropriate.
Names are personal identifiers. Their spelling can differ from the standard spelling of related dictionary words.
Lily or Lilly in British and American English
There is no British versus American spelling difference for the flower.
Both varieties of English use:
lily
For example:
- British English: The lily is growing well.
- American English: The lily is growing well.
The spelling does not change to lilly in either variety. Cambridge gives the same basic spelling and pronunciation for British and American English. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Lily or Lilly in Professional Writing
Use lily when referring to the flower in professional writing.
This applies to:
- Articles
- School assignments
- Gardening guides
- Product descriptions
- Academic writing
- News articles
- Business content
For example:
The white lily grows well in suitable soil.
Do not write lilly simply because you have seen the double L in a person’s name.
For personal names, however, copy the person’s official spelling exactly.
Real Life Examples
Lily as a flower
The garden has several colorful lilies.
She planted a white lily near the window.
The lily needs suitable growing conditions.
A water lily covered part of the pond.
Lily as a name
Lily won the writing competition.
I spoke with Lily yesterday.
Lily is studying at the university.
Lilly as a name
Lilly called me after work.
Lilly wrote her name on the form.
We invited Lilly to the event.
The important difference is context.
Common Mistakes With Lily and Lilly
Mistake 1: Writing Lilly for the flower
Incorrect:
The lilly is blooming.
Correct:
The lily is blooming.
Mistake 2: Correcting someone’s name automatically
You should not change:
Lilly Smith
to:
Lily Smith
unless you know the name was written incorrectly.
Mistake 3: Assuming the extra L means a different flower
Lilly does not represent a separate standard flower spelling.
The standard English flower word is lily. (Merriam-Webster)
Mistake 4: Assuming British English uses Lilly
It does not. The standard flower spelling remains lily in British English. (Cambridge Dictionary)
A Simple Memory Trick
Remember this:
One lily, two lilies.
The flower uses lily with one l after the first letter.
For a person’s name, check the person’s preferred spelling:
Lily or Lilly.
This small distinction can prevent many spelling mistakes.
Professional Recommendation
For standard English writing, choose lily when you mean the flower.
Use Lily or Lilly for a person’s name based on that person’s official spelling.
Merriam-Webster, Oxford, and Cambridge all support lily as the standard dictionary form for the flower. (Merriam-Webster)
So, in professional writing:
Flower → lily
Person → Lily or Lilly, depending on the name
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lily or Lilly the correct spelling?
Lily is the standard spelling for the flower. Lilly is also a valid spelling of a personal name.
Is Lilly a misspelling of Lily?
Not necessarily. Lilly can be a legitimate personal name variant. It is not, however, the standard spelling of the flower. (Dictionary.com)
Is Lilly a British spelling of Lily?
No. British English uses lily for the flower.
Can a person be named Lilly?
Yes. Lilly is an established variant of the personal name Lily. (Behind the Name)
What is the plural of lily?
The plural is lilies. Oxford and Merriam-Webster both list this plural form. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
Should I write lily flower or lilly flower?
Use lily flower. Lily is the standard spelling of the flower.
Conclusion
Lily is the correct standard spelling when you mean the flower. Lilly is a valid personal name variant, so it can be correct when referring to someone whose name is spelled that way.
For a quick rule, remember lily for the flower and Lily or Lilly for a person’s name. This distinction makes your writing accurate while respecting personal name spellings.
Olivia Bennett is a grammar expert and language content writer at GrammarWize.com. She specializes in English grammar, word usage, spelling differences, and writing improvement. Through clear explanations and practical examples, Olivia helps students, professionals, and language learners communicate more effectively. Her goal is to make English grammar simple, accessible, and easy to apply in everyday writing.
