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Hollis
Pronounced HOL-iss /ˈhɒl.ɪs/High
Meaning: From an Old English topographic surname meaning dweller by the holly trees, from Old English holegn (holly); used as both a masculine and feminine given nameHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Hollis derives from an Old English topographic surname for someone who lived near holly trees (holegn). Holly has been a culturally significant plant in Britain since pre-Christian times — the Druids valued it as a symbol of life and protection in the winter months. As a surname Hollis is recorded in England from the medieval period. It traveled to America with English settlers and gradually crossed into use as a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the American South.
Hollis is a genuinely gender-neutral name in American usage, given to both boys and girls, and sits in the same register as Hadley, Greer, Reese, and Sawyer. In literary culture the name has appeared in fiction and poetry. In music, Hollis is associated with hip-hop through Hollis, Queens — the Queens, New York neighborhood that gave birth to Run-DMC and LL Cool J. In the 21st century it has gentle, understated popularity and appeals to parents who want something unfussy and slightly old-world.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Hollis mean?
Hollis is an Old English surname meaning one who lives near the holly trees.
How do you pronounce Hollis?
It is said HOL-iss — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Hollis a boy or girl name?
Hollis is genuinely gender-neutral in the United States, used for both boys and girls.
Is Hollis related to Holly?
Yes, both Hollis and Holly derive from the Old English word for the holly tree.