How to say it
HOL · ly
ˈhɒl.i
Feminine
Holly
The holly tree
What it means
An English nature name from the holly, the evergreen with glossy leaves and red winter berries.
Holly is a nature name from the evergreen holly, whose red-berried branches have decked midwinter halls since long before Christmas. It is a natural pick for December babies and reads bright and festive. Breakfast at Tiffany's gave it the unforgettable Holly Golightly, and Buddy Holly carried the surname. It belongs to the cheerful botanical set with Ivy and Daisy. Holls is the casual short.
How to spell Holly
The standard spelling is Holly. Common variants include Hollie, Holli, Hollianne, but Holly is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #48 in 1979, currently #416 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
- Pop culture
Holly Golightly of Breakfast at Tiffany's; a natural choice for a winter baby.
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.
- Holly Golightly the heroine of Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Holly Hunter American actress
Spelling variants
- Hollie
- Holli
- Hollianne
Names with the same feeling
See Holly from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Holly mean?
- An English nature name from the holly, the evergreen with glossy leaves and red winter berries.
- What does Holly mean in English?
- In English, Holly means "The holly tree." Holly is a nature name from the evergreen holly, whose red-berried branches have decked midwinter halls since long before Christmas. It is a natural pick for December babies and reads bright and festive. Breakfast at Tiffany's gave it the unforgettable Holly Golightly, and Buddy Holly carried the surname. It belongs to the cheerful botanical set with Ivy and Daisy. Holls is the casual short.
- How do you pronounce Holly?
- Holly is pronounced ˈhɒl.i. Say it as HOL-ly, with the stress on the "hol" syllable.
- How do you spell Holly?
- The standard spelling is Holly. Common spelling variants include Hollie, Holli, Hollianne.
- Is Holly a boy or girl name?
- Holly is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Holly?
- Holly ranked #416 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.