Definition of "Lillian"

Your mother's name was Lillian, Minnie Lee,Her other name I never heard, untilI stood within the church and saw her wedSo she is ever Lillian Lee to me.

1836, Adeline Sergeant, Lillian Lee

Lillian Russell was christened Helen Louise Leonard. Tony Pastor gave her the name Lillian Russell, for the very practical reason, I believe, that it had so many "l's" in it, and consequently would look well on a bill-board.

1907, Lewis Clinton Strang, Famous Prima Donnas, L.C.Page&Co, page 33