Message: "Lilla" - Behind the Name

Lilla

by Pie

8/22/2015, 3:54 PM

Came across this recently in a family tree. I'd never seen it before, but it was apparently fairly common in the UK at one point and seems to still be in use. WDYT?

#Lilla

Replies

- Ew_Chloe (New_Chloe)

8/23/2015, 6:58 AM

I like it. It's faeriesque.

- Feorsteorra +2

8/23/2015, 12:35 AM

There was a character in the Sweet Valley High books named Lila Fowler, but despite being only one letter different the names are apparently unrelated according to BtN. As a young teen reading the books, I always assumed Lila was related to Lily, but apparently that's not true either.

I guess I don't really like Lilla, especially if BtN is correct about the pronunciation: LEEL-law. Though, if BtN's listed pronunciation is correct, I suppose I've been pronouncing Lila wrong (LEE-lə) all these years as well. :/

Lilla also feels quite nickname-y, which I suppose is logical, considering its origins.

I could get behind Lillian / Lilian nn Lila easily enough, but I'm just not feeling Lilla unless it's a nn and pronounced LEE-lə.

- Pie +1

8/23/2015, 4:08 AM

In the UK it was almost certainly pronounced LIL uh, and was a variant of Lily, or possibly Elizabeth - I doubt there's any connection with the Hungarian name.

- Feorsteorra

8/23/2015, 9:51 AM

LIL-uh. Hadn't considered that particular pronunciation, but it does sound very UK. :) I can see it as a nn for Elizabeth too, now that you mention it. I think I still prefer Lila, regardless how it's pronounced, probably because that's familiar to me - the other L just feels a bit superfluous.

- Cristy-es (guest)

8/22/2015, 7:53 PM

It's pretty. i do prefer Lila or Lilia.

It's a bonus being a family name. :)

- whim +1

8/22/2015, 5:34 PM

It used to be a favorite of mine. I'm pretty sure it means "lilac" in a language that currently escapes me.

I wish it were used more often. I think it's softer and more frilly than just Lila.

- Lily-of-the-Valley (guest)

8/25/2015, 4:59 PM

I could see Lilia/Lillia as an alternative for Lily and as a nickname for Elizabeth, with the only issue being how to pronounce the name.

- NobodyOfConsequence

8/22/2015, 5:33 PM

I've known two Lillas, one little girl about 3 and one baby. I prefer Lilia myself but I like it as an alternative to Lily for those that are looking for something less common.

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