Lilu

Lilu, sometimes written Lilû, is a term that appears in Mesopotamian demonology as a night-demon or wind-demon associated with sleep and dreams. In ancient texts, Lilu is described as a male or ambiguous spirit that intrudes upon the sleeper, a figure tied to nocturnal disturbances. Its name is often linked to other night-related beings in Mesopotamian lore, and its broader category includes related spirits such as the Lilin or Lilitu, which in later traditions are associated with Lilith.

In modern technology, Lilu refers to a kernel-extension framework used in macOS environments, particularly within Hackintosh communities. Lilu.kext provides an interface that allows other kexts to register callbacks and patch system behavior at runtime, serving as a foundation for compatibility and patching tools. It acts as a modular platform to enable or coordinate patches across different components, with notable ecosystem participants such as WhateverGreen and AppleALC relying on its framework.

As a name, Lilu or its variants are used as a personal given name or nickname in various cultures. The usage and meaning can vary by region and language, and it may appear in different transliterations or spellings.

Overall, lilu is a term with distinct meanings across mythological, technological, and onomastic contexts. In scholarship, the Mesopotamian figure is discussed within the broader study of ancient demonology, while in technology it is recognized as a critical extensibility layer for macOS kexts.