Girl nameCurrently #419 in the USSteady
Holly
HOL-ee//ˈhɒli//
2 syllablesPeak year: 19835 lettersStarts with H
Meaning & origin
Holly plant
Holly is a nature name for the evergreen shrub with red berries long associated with Christmas and midwinter celebrations. Traditionally given to girls born around the winter holidays, it has a cheerful, festive simplicity.
Holly's popularity over time
| Year | Births named Holly |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 5 |
| 1885 | 6 |
| 1888 | 8 |
| 1892 | 6 |
| 1893 | 8 |
| 1894 | 8 |
| 1896 | 11 |
| 1897 | 7 |
| 1898 | 5 |
| 1899 | 5 |
| 1900 | 8 |
| 1904 | 6 |
| 1905 | 5 |
| 1906 | 10 |
| 1907 | 9 |
| 1908 | 17 |
| 1909 | 6 |
| 1910 | 7 |
| 1911 | 15 |
| 1912 | 20 |
| 1913 | 27 |
| 1914 | 33 |
| 1915 | 34 |
| 1916 | 34 |
| 1917 | 41 |
| 1918 | 46 |
| 1919 | 29 |
| 1920 | 42 |
| 1921 | 38 |
| 1922 | 40 |
| 1923 | 42 |
| 1924 | 46 |
| 1925 | 42 |
| 1926 | 37 |
| 1927 | 46 |
| 1928 | 38 |
| 1929 | 42 |
| 1930 | 47 |
| 1931 | 38 |
| 1932 | 52 |
| 1933 | 42 |
| 1934 | 44 |
| 1935 | 54 |
| 1936 | 61 |
| 1937 | 62 |
| 1938 | 78 |
| 1939 | 88 |
| 1940 | 89 |
| 1941 | 151 |
| 1942 | 243 |
| 1943 | 336 |
| 1944 | 317 |
| 1945 | 395 |
| 1946 | 528 |
| 1947 | 730 |
| 1948 | 692 |
| 1949 | 643 |
| 1950 | 852 |
| 1951 | 1,087 |
| 1952 | 1,335 |
| 1953 | 1,581 |
| 1954 | 2,106 |
| 1955 | 2,519 |
| 1956 | 2,350 |
| 1957 | 2,412 |
| 1958 | 2,261 |
| 1959 | 2,309 |
| 1960 | 2,594 |
| 1961 | 2,587 |
| 1962 | 2,934 |
| 1963 | 3,149 |
| 1964 | 3,497 |
| 1965 | 3,373 |
| 1966 | 3,414 |
| 1967 | 3,174 |
| 1968 | 3,439 |
| 1969 | 4,136 |
| 1970 | 4,953 |
| 1971 | 4,765 |
| 1972 | 4,396 |
| 1973 | 5,139 |
| 1974 | 5,166 |
| 1975 | 5,057 |
| 1976 | 5,194 |
| 1977 | 5,483 |
| 1978 | 4,995 |
| 1979 | 5,508 |
| 1980 | 5,306 |
| 1981 | 4,593 |
| 1982 | 4,699 |
| 1983 | 6,415 |
| 1984 | 5,947 |
| 1985 | 5,627 |
| 1986 | 4,868 |
| 1987 | 4,276 |
| 1988 | 4,235 |
| 1989 | 3,912 |
| 1990 | 3,777 |
| 1991 | 3,296 |
| 1992 | 3,355 |
| 1993 | 3,037 |
| 1994 | 2,932 |
| 1995 | 2,544 |
| 1996 | 2,438 |
| 1997 | 2,061 |
| 1998 | 1,926 |
| 1999 | 1,749 |
| 2000 | 1,690 |
| 2001 | 1,462 |
| 2002 | 1,363 |
| 2003 | 1,227 |
| 2004 | 1,127 |
| 2005 | 1,040 |
| 2006 | 955 |
| 2007 | 976 |
| 2008 | 907 |
| 2009 | 858 |
| 2010 | 774 |
| 2011 | 738 |
| 2012 | 740 |
| 2013 | 683 |
| 2014 | 714 |
| 2015 | 653 |
| 2016 | 589 |
| 2017 | 634 |
| 2018 | 608 |
| 2019 | 651 |
| 2020 | 638 |
| 2021 | 672 |
| 2022 | 692 |
| 2023 | 682 |
| 2024 | 739 |
Holly through the decades
- Holly peaked in 1983, when 6,415 babies were named Holly in the US.
- The 1970s were Holly's strongest decade, averaging 5,066 births a year.
- Over the last 10 years of data (2015–2024), use of Holly has fallen 22% compared to the 10 years before that.
- Holly currently ranks #419 in the US and is holding steady.
Nicknames
Holly
Variants & spellings
Hollie
Famous people named Holly
- Holly Golightly — Breakfast at Tiffany's character