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NamyLab

Holmes

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Island in River"

Holmes is an English surname used as a given name, derived from Old English terms for river island or low-lying land.

Themes:surnametoponymicenglishhistory
NatureNaturalUniqueRare

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 Holmes

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#11404Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

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
Unranked

Holmes did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

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

Holmes Nicknames

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

5 ideas
holy
Nickname
holm
Nickname
lmes
Nickname
mesy
Nickname
lmey
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Holmes

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

17 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Holmes mean?
Holmes means "Island in River". Holmes is an English surname used as a given name, derived from Old English terms for river island or low-lying land.
What is the origin of Holmes?
Holmes 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 Holmes?
According to the latest SSA data, Holmes is currently ranked #11404 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 Holmes a boy name?
Holmes is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Holmes?
Popular nicknames for Holmes include holy, holm, lmes, mesy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Holmes?
There are many names similar to Holmes in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#11404
Trend→ Stable
Starts withH

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Holmes

Holmes 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.

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

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Holmes pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Holmes 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.