How to say it
HOL · lis
ˈhɒl.ɪs
Masculine
Hollis
Dweller by the holly trees
What it means
An English surname from Middle English holis, 'by the holly trees,' from Old English holegn.
Hollis is an English topographic surname from Middle English holis, a plural of holin (Old English holegn), 'holly.' It marked someone who lived where holly trees grew. From there it became a family name and, later, a given name used for both boys and girls. Its soft two-syllable shape and nature root have carried it into the modern crop of gentle surname names. Hollis entered the US top 1000 for boys in 2025.
How to spell Hollis
The standard spelling is Hollis. Common variants include Holliss, Holles, but Hollis is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #292 in 1908, currently #894 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
HOL-iss, stress on the first syllable.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Hollis Frampton American avant-garde filmmaker whose work entered the National Film Registry
Spelling variants
- Holliss
- Holles
Names with the same feeling
See Hollis from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Hollis mean?
- An English surname from Middle English holis, 'by the holly trees,' from Old English holegn.
- What does Hollis mean in English?
- In English, Hollis means "Dweller by the holly trees." Hollis is an English topographic surname from Middle English holis, a plural of holin (Old English holegn), 'holly.' It marked someone who lived where holly trees grew. From there it became a family name and, later, a given name used for both boys and girls. Its soft two-syllable shape and nature root have carried it into the modern crop of gentle surname names. Hollis entered the US top 1000 for boys in 2025.
- How do you pronounce Hollis?
- Hollis is pronounced ˈhɒl.ɪs. Say it as HOL-lis, with the stress on the "hol" syllable.
- How do you spell Hollis?
- The standard spelling is Hollis. Common spelling variants include Holliss, Holles.
- Is Hollis a boy or girl name?
- Hollis is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Hollis?
- Hollis ranked #894 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.