Given name & surname
Holley
“of the holly tree”·“near the valley of the holly bushes”·“from the holly tree”
In English use, Holley has a related form in Holly. One English interpretation is “of the holly tree.” In English use, Holley has a related form in Hollis. Interpretations include “near the valley of the holly bushes” (English) and “from the holly tree” (English). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Holley has a related form in Holly. One English interpretation is “of the holly tree.” In English use, Holley has a related form in Hollis. Interpretations include “near the valley of the holly bushes” (English) and “from the holly tree” (English). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Holley has a related form in Holly. An origin associated with Holly is English.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1911. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Holley through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,690
- 204 boys · 4,486 girls
- Most popular year
- 1974
- 113 babies
- 2025
- 40
- #3,737 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −9%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 40 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,737 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 8.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 108 in 1984. In 2025, Texas and Washington shared the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,908 as a first name in 2020; 28,921 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Holley’s family of names
Holley has a related form in Holly. Holley has a related form in Hollis. In German usage, Holley as a surname has a related form in HOLLAY.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Holley, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Halley
“from the hall near the meadow”
>99% girls
Hollie
“near the valley of the holly bushes” · “from the holly tree”
>99% girls
Holli
“of the holly tree” · “near the valley of the holly bushes”
>99% girls
Cari
“from the river” · “from the fort on the hill”
18% boys · 82% girls
Tamar
“from the palm tree”
6% boys · 94% girls
Yolanda
“resembling the violet flower; modest”
>99% girls
Marya
“star of the sea” · “from the sea of bitterness”
>99% girls
Chalena
“resembling the beautiful and meaningful flower”
>99% girls