Lily is the correct spelling when referring to the flower or the common female first name in most situations.
Many people mistakenly write lilly because English contains many words with double consonants, making the spelling seem natural.
After reading this guide, you will understand the difference between lily and lilly, learn why the confusion happens, know which spelling to use in British and American English, see real-life examples, and avoid common mistakes in both personal and professional writing.
Quick Answer
Lily is the standard and correct spelling.
Lilly is usually incorrect when referring to the flower. However, Lilly is correct as a surname or part of a company name, such as Eli Lilly and Company.
Examples
✅ The lily blooms every spring.
✅ She received a bouquet of white lilies.
✅ Lily is my cousin’s name.
✅ She works for Eli Lilly and Company.
❌ I planted a beautiful lilly in the garden.
The Origin of Lily or Lilly
The word lily comes from the Old English lilie, which came from the Latin lilium and the Greek leirion. For centuries, English speakers have spelled the flower as lily.
The spelling lilly did not develop as an accepted spelling for the flower. Instead, it became a surname and later appeared in company names and some personal names.
Today:
- Lily = the flower and the common first name.
- Lilly = mainly a surname or brand name.
British English vs American English Spelling
Unlike words such as colour/color or travelling/traveling, there is no spelling difference between British and American English.
Both varieties use lily for the flower.
| Usage | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Flower | Lily ✅ | Lily ✅ |
| Plant | Lily ✅ | Lily ✅ |
| First name | Lily ✅ | Lily ✅ |
| Flower spelled “Lilly” | Incorrect ❌ | Incorrect ❌ |
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your audience does not change the correct spelling.
If writing for American readers
Use lily.
If writing for British readers
Use lily.
If writing for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or other English-speaking countries
Use lily.
Only use Lilly when
- It is someone’s surname.
- It is the official spelling of a business or organization.
- A person chooses that spelling for their first name.
Common Mistakes with Lily or Lilly
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| Lilly flower | Lily flower |
| White lilly | White lily |
| Water lilly | Water lily |
| Pink lilly | Pink lily |
| Garden lilly | Garden lily |
Common error
❌ I love white lilly flowers.
✅ I love white lily flowers.
Another example
❌ She planted many lilly bulbs.
✅ She planted many lily bulbs.
Lily or Lilly in Everyday Examples
Please bring fresh lily flowers for tomorrow’s event.
News
The city park is famous for its beautiful water lilies.
Social Media
The pink lily in my garden finally bloomed.
Formal Writing
The white lily symbolizes purity in many cultures.
School Writing
Our science class studied different types of lilies.
Lily or Lilly – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data consistently shows that lily is searched far more often than lilly.
The reason is simple:
- Lily is the correct spelling for the flower.
- Lilly mainly appears in searches for people, family names, or companies.
- English speakers worldwide use lily in books, dictionaries, schools, and gardening articles.
Popular usage by country
| Country | Most Common Spelling |
|---|---|
| United States | Lily |
| United Kingdom | Lily |
| Canada | Lily |
| Australia | Lily |
| New Zealand | Lily |
Lily or Lilly Comparison Table
| Feature | Lily | Lilly |
|---|---|---|
| Correct flower spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dictionary spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| British English | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| American English | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Common first name | ✅ Yes | Sometimes |
| Surname | Rare | ✅ Yes |
| Company names | Sometimes | ✅ Yes |
FAQS
Is lily or lilly correct?
Lily is correct for the flower and the common first name.
Why do people write lilly?
People often assume the word needs a double l, but standard English spells it lily.
Is Lilly ever correct?
Yes. It is correct when it is a person’s surname, a chosen first name, or part of an official company name.
Is lily the same in British and American English?
Yes. Both British and American English use lily.
Is lily a flower or a name?
It is both. Lily is the name of a flower and a popular girl’s name.
What is the plural of lily?
The plural is lilies.
How can I remember the correct spelling?
Remember that the flower has one pair of letters: one L before the Y—lily, not lilly.
Conclusion
Lily is the correct spelling for the flower and the standard first name, while Lilly should only be used when it is part of a person’s name, surname, or an official business name.
To avoid mistakes, remember that dictionaries, schools, and style guides all use lily for the plant.
If you often confuse similar spellings, it helps to check a trusted dictionary before writing.
You may also enjoy reading our related guide on Lilies or Lillies to learn the correct plural spelling and avoid another common English mistake.
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