Holly
Holly is an girl name of Old English origin, meaning “The holly tree”.
| Meaning | The holly tree |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Old English |
| Pronunciation | HOL-ee |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic, Christian |
| Used in | United Kingdom, Australia, United States, Ireland |
Meaning and origin of Holly
Holly is taken from the evergreen shrub, Old English holen, whose glossy leaves and red berries are a fixture of Christmas decoration. It came into use as a girls' name in the late nineteenth century and was especially popular in Britain and the English-speaking world in the 1970s and 1980s. Babies born around Christmas have often received it. Holly Golightly of Breakfast at Tiffany's added a touch of glamour in the 1960s.
Is Holly a religious name?
Holly is not a biblical name, but the plant is a traditional Christian symbol at Christmas, its thorny leaves and red berries linked in folk custom with Christ's crown of thorns.
How popular is Holly?
Well established in English-speaking countries, particularly Britain.
Gifts with the name Holly
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Spellings and variants of Holly
Names similar to Holly
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Holly mean?
Holly means 'The holly tree'. It is of Old English origin.
Does Holly have a religious meaning?
Holly is not a biblical name, but the plant is a traditional Christian symbol at Christmas, its thorny leaves and red berries linked in folk custom with Christ's crown of thorns.
How do you pronounce Holly?
Holly is pronounced HOL-ee.
Is Holly a boy or girl name?
Holly is usually a girl name.