N
NamyLab

Holly

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Holly Plant"

From the plant name, it functions as a nature-derived English given name with seasonal associations.

Themes:plantwinternature
NatureNatural

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Holly

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#419Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#419

Holly was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+32

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Holly Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Holly.

11 ideas
Holls
Nickname
holy
Nickname
holl
Nickname
olly
Nickname
hollyie
Nickname
hollyy
Nickname
hollyo
Nickname
ho
Nickname
hie
Nickname
hy
Nickname
hhie
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Holly

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Holly, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

21 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Holly mean?
Holly means "Holly Plant". From the plant name, it functions as a nature-derived English given name with seasonal associations.
What is the origin of Holly?
Holly is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Holly?
According to the latest SSA data, Holly is currently ranked #419 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Holly a girl name?
Holly is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Holly?
Popular nicknames for Holly include Holls, holy, holl, olly, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Holly?
There are many names similar to Holly in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#419
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withH

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Holly

Holly has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Holly appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Earth-Inspired Nature Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Holly pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Holly beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.