Why Lilly? + tiny rant (was Fun with Apostrophes)

[David <dfrankiswork@netscape.net>]

Richard wrote:

> How is it possible to have read 
> the books and not know that Harry's mum's name is Lily, or how to 
> spell McGonagall? 

Jen has already pointed out that some people are only able to listen 
to the audio versions.  I would like to add that poverty is another 
possible (and acceptable) reason: I'm pretty sure people have said 
in the past that they are waiting for paperback versions (Is GOF out 
in paperback in the US now?).  Of course they can use libraries, but 
not full-time.  It says much for their resolve and ingenuity that 
they are able to participate in an internet forum at all.  (It 
sometimes bugs me that we make assumptions about education and 
class, that, if they were made about race or sexual orientation, 
would be regarded as completely unacceptable.  I would hate for the 
G in HPFGU to become a euphemism for 'graduate'.)

Anyway, my main question is, what is the reason for the very common 
spelling of Lilly for Lily?  I can see that McGonagall is a 
difficult name - I always hesitate over it myself - and many of the 
other common errors have some sort of common-sense basis.  But 
Lily?  Is it something to do with feeling that a word spelt Lily 
should be pronounced to rhyme with wily?  Is Lilly a name in its own 
right in the US?

David