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Home › Baby Names Directory › Holley

Holley

♀ Girl

Pronounced HOL-ee /ˈhɑl.i/High

Meaning: -ey spelling of Holly — Old English holegn, the holly tree (an evergreen with red berries)Medium

In 30 seconds: Evergreen and festive: Holley spells Holly — the red-berried holly tree — with a soft -ey. Cheerful, wintry, and warm.
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Origin MediumEnglish
Meaning-ey spelling of Holly — Old English holegn, the holly tree (an evergreen with red berries)
U.S. rank (2025)#3737 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births40 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,485

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198419372025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Holley is an -ey spelling of Holly — from Old English holegn, the holly tree, an evergreen long tied to Christmas. A cheerful, wintry nature-name (also an English surname).

It registers thinly beside Holly. Rare, holly-tree at the root, and festive.

Did you know? Holly, the evergreen with bright red berries, is a Christmas symbol (Holly Golightly too) — Holley gives the festive tree-name an -ey spelling.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Holly — root etymology

Variations

HollyHollieHolli

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Holley Mangold (1989-)
    American Olympic weightlifter who competed at the 2012 London Games

If you like Holley…

Holly— the standard spelling
Hollie— a fellow -ie spelling
Ivy— another evergreen plant-name
Hartley— shares Holley's English roots
Whitney— the same nature feel

Explore names like Holley

By themeenglishnaturemodern-spellingplant-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Holley mean?

Holley spells Holly, Old English for the holly tree.

How do you pronounce Holley?

It's said HOL-ee /ˈhɑl.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Holley a boy or girl name?

Holley is a girl's name.

How popular is Holley?

Holley is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Holly is more common.

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