Holly - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Holly \ho(l)-ly\ is pronounced HAH-lee. It is of Old English origin, and its meaning is "the holly tree". Botanical name first used in the early 20th century. Holly Golightly is the heroine in Truman Capote's nove "Breakfast at Tiffany's", which was made into a film in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn. The name is often given to daughters born on or near Christmas. Actress Holly Hunter; singer Holly Near.

Holly has 7 variant forms: Hollee, Holleigh, Holley, Holli, Hollie, Hollyann and Hollye.

For more information, see also the related name Hollis.

Baby names that sound like Holly are Hilly, Hally and Holle.

Holly is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Holly. Click here to compare Holly with related baby names.