Origin, Meaning, And History Of Holly
The feminine name Holly refers to the Holly Tree with red berries and is derived from “holen,” an Old English word. It may also be from the French word “houx,” meaning ‘shrub.’ The houx is an evergreen tree with red berries and prickly leaves. The Irish also used it as a translation of the name Mac Cuilinn, which derives from cuileann, the Gaelic name of the holly tree.
Holly is also a toponymic surname originating from the industrious people of the county of Flanders. It was given to people residing near areas with hills, streams, churches, or certain types of trees. Another meaning associated with the name is “dwelling by the hollow.” The name Holly is often given to baby girls born in December, as customarily, the holly tree’s distinctive leaves and red berries are used in Christmas decorations.
The ancient Celts began the tradition of decorating homes with Holly, believing the bright decorations would bring them good luck. The name Holly first appeared as a feminine name in the 20th century. In the US it was first used in the 1930s and is believed to have been popularized by Holly Golightly, a character in the novel Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote. It was later adapted into a movie in 1961. Thus Holley became more popular in the US in the latter part of the 1900s.
The name Holly has several variations, including Hollie, Holli, Hollee, Holleigh, Hollis, Hollyann, and Holley. Hol, Holls, Holl, Holly Bear, and Holly Berry are some nicknames associated with the name Holly. Masculine variants of the name Holly include Hollis in English, Holic in Czech, and Holleb in Polish.
There are several references to the name in the fictional world. For example, Holly Flax is the HR representative and a character inThe Office. Other characters by the name are Holly Holliday, the substitute teacher from Glee, and Holly Robinson, a supporting character ofCatwoman in DC Comics .
Holly
Unisex
Christianity
English, French
9
Two
1 word, 5 letters, 1 vowel, 4 consonants
Short and easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Holly?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Holly in English.
Famous People With The Name Holly
- Holley FainAmerican actress, famous as Dr. Julia Canner from Grey’s Anatomy, and Maureen van der Bilt from Gossip Girl
- Holly RothAmerican crime writer in the genres of detective fiction and spy fiction, with twelve novels and many short stories to her name, along with an Edgar Award nomination
- Holly Marie CombsAmerican actress and producer famously known as Kimberly Brock from Picket Fences , Piper Halliwell from Charmed, and Ella Montgomery from Pretty Little Liars and a recipient of the Best Young Actress in a New Television Series (1993)
Names With Similar Sound As Holly
Holly is a name with a pleasant sound. If you want to explore more names with a similar ring, have a look at the list below.
Popular Sibling Names For Holly
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Holly, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Holly
Find matching brother names for Holly and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Haele
Hailen
Halbert
Halburt
Hale
Halebeorht
Haligwiella
Halin
Hallam
Halley
Girl Sibling Names For Holly
Looking for some suitable sister names for Holly? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
Haelee
Haeley
Haely
Haila
Haileigh
Hailey
Hailie
Haisley
Halee
Haleigh
Other Popular Names Beginning With H
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter H to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Holly
Listed below are a variety of delightful names that share a similar essence as Holly.
Infographic: Know The Name Holly‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Holly In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
holly
In Sign Language
holly
In Braille Alphabet
holly
In Morse Code
holly
Name Numerology For Holly
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Holly?
The name Holly means ‘Holly tree with red berries.’
2. What is the origin of the name Holly?
Holly has an English and French origin.
3. Is Holly a popular name?
According to the SSA popularity data, the name Holly rose seven ranks higher to 459 in 2022 from rank 466 in 2021. The name has been within the top 500 names in the US, which means Holly is a popular name in the US (1).
4. What is a nickname for Holly?
Parents may choose any nickname for their child based on their personal preferences. If you are looking for a nickname for Holly, you can consider Holz, Holls, Hollyberry, Hollypop, Hollykins, Hollybear, and Hollsicle.
5. Is Holly an old name?
Holly may have been around for centuries as a word referring to the Holly tree with red and black fruits and as a toponymic surname for people inhabiting areas of hills, streams, and specific trees. However, as a girl’s name, it is believed to have been used since the 20th century.
References:
- Names that increased in popularity from 2021 to 2022;
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/popularity_increase.html
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