Holly
How to say it: HOL-ee · /ˈhɑli/
From the evergreen holly plant (Ilex), Old English 'holegn'. Used as a given name since the 20th century, evoking winter and Christmas.
Holly was the 398th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 751 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are up about 10% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #360 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #398 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 751 |
| Share of births | 1 in 4,087 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | +10% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #360 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,735 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After its high in the 1970s, Holly settled far below that level while staying in regular use. Growth looks likely again over the next few years.
What goes with it
Soft and breathy across two syllables, Holly feels leafy and gentle as a nature name. Heather and Poppy share its natural style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Holly is about 1 in 171.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #1,735 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #169. Ireland: #70.
Famous people named Holly
- Holly Hunter (born 1958)American actress
- Holly Marie Combs (born 1973)American actress
- Holly Madison (born 1979)American television personality
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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