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Holland

♀ Girl

Pronounced HOL-and /ˈhɒl.ənd/High

Meaning: From the Dutch region name Holland, derived from Old Dutch holt ('wood') or hol ('hollow, low-lying') and land ('land'), meaning 'hollow land' or 'wooded land'; used as a surname and increasingly as a given name in the United StatesHigh

In 30 seconds: Holland is a refined Dutch place name meaning 'hollow land,' long used as an English surname and now a quietly rising girls' first name with a Midwestern, sophisticated feel.
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Origin HighDutch, English
MeaningFrom the Dutch region name Holland, derived from Old Dutch holt ('wood') or hol ('hollow, low-lying') and land ('land'), meaning 'hollow land' or 'wooded land'; used as a surname and increasingly as a given name in the United States
U.S. rank (2025)#550 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births550 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,833

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519182025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Holland takes its name from the Dutch region, derived from Old Dutch holt (wood) or hol (hollow, low) and land (land). The region of Holland was the dominant province of the Dutch Republic from the 16th to 18th centuries, and its name became synonymous with the Netherlands as a whole. As an English surname it was carried by Dutch and English settlers. Its use as a given name emerged in the United States in the 20th century.

Holland has been appearing on U.S. girls' name charts since at least the 1990s, growing steadily in the 2010s. It appeals to parents who love the sound of Molly or Hazel but want something less common. Actor Tom Holland has kept the name in public consciousness, though his fame may actually be directing more attention to the boys' use. For girls, it sits in the lower top 500.

Did you know? Holland is actually the name of just two provinces of the Netherlands (North Holland and South Holland), not the entire country — but through historical usage 'Holland' became a popular metonym for all the Dutch people and their nation.
Overall data confidence 87%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

HollanHollyn

Nicknames

HollyHollieHoll

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Holland…

Hadley— shares the two-syllable surname-name structure and the same understated, sophisticated feel
Harlow— two-syllable English-Dutch surname-name with the same vintage, chic feminine energy
Hayes— monosyllabic surname-name in the same cool, unpretentious American register
Lennon— two-syllable surname-name with the same globally familiar, lightly musical connotation

Frequently Asked

What does the name Holland mean?

Holland comes from the Dutch region name, from Old Dutch hol (hollow, low) and land, meaning 'hollow land' or 'wooded land.' It was the dominant province of the Dutch Republic.

How do you pronounce Holland?

It is said HOL-and — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Holland a boy or girl name?

Holland is used primarily as a girls' name in the United States, though it is technically unisex as a surname-name.

How popular is Holland?

Holland sits in the lower U.S. top 500 for girls and is rising gradually, appealing to parents who want a distinctive, polished surname-name.