Holly
Holly is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Holly tree.
Origin and history
Holly is a botanical name derived from the Old English word for the evergreen holly tree. While predominantly given to females in contemporary usage, it has a history of occasional masculine use in the United States. Today, male usage of Holly is extremely rare.
Popularity in the United States
1,541 babies in the United States have been named Holly since 1880. It ranks #3204 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- WV (51.5 %)
- KY (18.2 %)
- CA (7.6 %)
- DC (7.6 %)
- OH (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 19 |
| 1890-1900 | 20 |
| 1900-1910 | 26 |
| 1910-1920 | 153 |
| 1920-1930 | 214 |
| 1930-1940 | 151 |
| 1940-1950 | 162 |
| 1950-1960 | 178 |
| 1960-1970 | 153 |
| 1970-1980 | 192 |
| 1980-1990 | 222 |
| 1990-2000 | 43 |
| 2000-2010 | 8 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Holly
- Holly Mims: Professional Boxer
Fun facts
- The name comes directly from the Old English word holen, referring to the evergreen tree known for its red berries.
- Although now predominantly female, Holly was given to over 1,500 boys in the U.S. during the 20th century.