Name meaning & stats
Holly
Holly means “holly tree” (English origin). 205,450 US babies since 1940, peak 1983. Notable Hollys are 1.5× over-represented as singers.
What it means
“holly tree”
EnglishWell documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1983
205,450 US babies were named Holly between 1940 and 2025.
Where Hollys end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.2× | High · 43 people |
| Singer | 1.5× | High · 28 people |
| Writer | 1.0× | Medium · 24 people |
| Footballer | 1.5× | Medium · 17 people |
Among notable women who are singers, Hollys show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Holly has a surprise career: 1.3×
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 86% of the family
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1983)