The story behind Holly
* As an Irish surname, calque of mac cuilinn (“holly”) (see McCullen) and sometimes McQuillan. * As an English surname, variant of Holley. * As a Czech and Slovak surname, variant of Holý, Holy. * Also as a locational English surname, from Old English hol leah (“wood, clearing, meadow”), compare Hollywood. * Also as an English surname, short form of Holiday. * Also as an English surname, after the holly tree. * As a feminine given name popularized by Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (especially the 1961 film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): HH AA1 L IY0
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Holly ranked #416 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Holly
Handy
Originating as a nickname for a handy person.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Harry
Medieval English spoken form of Old French Henri. Unadapted borrowing from English Harry.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Henry
From Middle English Henry, from Old French (and Anglo-Norman) Henri, from Frankish *Haimrik, from Proto-Germanic *Haimarīks. Cognate with German Heinrich, Dutch Hendrik,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Holley
* As an English surname, spelling variant of Holly. * Also as an English surname, from Old English hol (“hollow”) leah (“wood, clearing, meadow”) or Old English hol ēage…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ashley
From Old English *Æsċlēah, composed of æsċ (“ash tree”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Equivalent to Ash + -ley. Borrowed from English Ashley.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Holly
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Agatha
Borrowed from Latin Agatha, from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), from Ancient Greek ἀγαθός (agathós, “good”). Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), feminine of ἀγαθός…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aidano
From English Aidan, from Irish Aodhán.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Holly
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length