Holly
Holly: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Holly
Root meaning: “holly”
- A female given name from English.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
As an Irish surname, calque of mac cuilinn (“holly”) (see McCullen) and sometimes McQuillan. * As an English surname, variant of Holley. * As a Czech and Slovak surname, variant of Holý, Holy. * Also as a locational English surname, from Old English hol leah (“wood, clearing, meadow”), compare Hollywood. * Also as an English surname, short form of Holiday. * Also as an English surname, after the holly tree. * As a feminine given name popularized by Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (especially the 1961 film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn).
How popular is Holly?
Since 1880, 205,304 girls and 1,541 boys in the U.S. have been named Holly (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #48 in 1979. Its highest rank for boys was #783 in 1888. In 2025 it ranked #416 for girls, with 751 babies given the name.
Names similar to Holly
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English girl names
Sibling name ideas for Holly
Sister and brother names that share Holly's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Holly FAQ
What does the name Holly mean?
Holly traces back to a root meaning "holly". A female given name from English. A male given name transferred from the surname. As an Irish surname, calque of mac cuilinn (“holly”) (see McCullen) and sometimes McQuillan. * As an English surname, variant of Holley. * As a Czech and Slovak surname, variant of Holý, Holy. * Also as a locational English surname, from Old English hol leah (“wood, clearing, meadow”), compare Hollywood. * Also as an English surname, short form of Holiday. * Also as an English surname, after the holly tree. * As a feminine given name popularized by Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (especially the 1961 film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn).
What is the origin of the name Holly?
Holly is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Holly?
Since 1880, 205,304 girls and 1,541 boys in the U.S. have been named Holly (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #48 in 1979. Its highest rank for boys was #783 in 1888. In 2025 it ranked #416 for girls, with 751 babies given the name.
Is Holly a boy or girl name?
Holly is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 205,304 girls and 1,541 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.