Chinese name for Lily
Lily is usually written 莉莉 (Lì lì) in Chinese. That is a phonetic transliteration: it copies the sound, so Chinese speakers read it as a foreign name. If you want a name that feels native, here are authentic Chinese given names inspired by Lily.
Lily in Chinese, by sound
莉莉
Lì lì
Fine for writing your English name on a Chinese form. It is not a Chinese given name, and the characters were picked for sound, not meaning.
Authentic Chinese names inspired by Lily
Real given-name characters from our curated library. A full Chinese name puts a one-character surname first, for example 林 (Lín) + 莉莲.
Li Lian keeps the repeating Li sound of Lily and adds a lotus softness.
A lily stands for purity, and Lian Zhi pairs lotus and angelica for the same clean sweetness.
About the name Lily
Lily comes from the English flower name for the lily, a symbol of purity.
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Find my Chinese nameFrequently asked questions
What is Lily in Chinese?
The usual phonetic version of Lily is 莉莉 (Lì lì). It copies the sound, so Chinese speakers read it as a foreign name. Authentic Chinese given names inspired by Lily include 莉莲 (lì lián), 莲芷 (lián zhǐ), 茉薇 (mò wēi).
How do you write Lily in Chinese characters?
Phonetically, Lily is written 莉莉. A native-feeling Chinese name is different: a surname followed by one or two given characters chosen for meaning, such as 莉莲.
What is a good Chinese name for someone called Lily?
Pick characters that real Chinese people are named with and that carry a meaning you like. 莉莲 (lì lián): Li Lian keeps the repeating Li sound of Lily and adds a lotus softness. 莲芷 (lián zhǐ): A lily stands for purity, and Lian Zhi pairs lotus and angelica for the same clean sweetness. 茉薇 (mò wēi): Mo Wei brings jasmine and rose together, matching the floral heart of Lily.
Why sound-based names fall flat: Chinese name vs. transliteration.