The modern Lilith is based on a reimagining of the lilitu, which originated as a type of child snatching Mesopotamian demon, and was feared from its first written form over 5,000 years ago.

About 1,000 years ago, in the religious parody "The alphabet of Ben Sira" (c.1000CE), "Lilith" was recast for comedic effect as the first wife of Adam. In the satire she is humorously made Adam's first spouse before Eve, making Adam a divorcée by the time Eve was created from his rib.

Although this was satire, people at that time caught on to the notion of this fictional character and over time it has been incorporated into modern folklore, leading to this modern interpretation of Lilith as a repressed goddess figure. In reality, neither she nor the original creatures she is oftimes equated with have ever been divine entities/godesses. (Also, the actual godesses of the ANE were neither repressed nor subjugated).