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Home › Baby Names Directory › Holmes

Holmes

♂ Boy

Pronounced HOHMZ /ˈhoʊmz/High

Meaning: From the English surname Holmes, from Old Norse holmr ('small island; water-meadow, low land by a stream'). Best known through Arthur Conan Doyle's detective Sherlock Holmes, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: A sharp surname-name: Holmes means 'islands, water-meadows' (said 'HOHMZ') — famous through Sherlock Holmes, which we note.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Holmes, from Old Norse holmr ('small island; water-meadow, low land by a stream'). Best known through Arthur Conan Doyle's detective Sherlock Holmes, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#11404 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1915
Total births (all-time)≈ 610

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191518802024

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

Holmes derives from Old Norse holmr, 'small island' or 'water-meadow'. A common English surname, it carries strong literary fame through the detective Sherlock Holmes, which we note (said 'HOHMZ').

As a first name it stays rare in the U.S., reading as a crisp surname pick. Rare, literary, and clever-toned.

Did you know? Holmes comes from a word for river islands and low water-meadows — but it's best known as the surname of Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective, Sherlock Holmes, which we note (said 'HOHMZ').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Holmes — English surname, Old Norse holmr, 'island, water-meadow'; Sherlock Holmes

Variations

HolmHulme

Nicknames

Holm

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Holmes…

Hollis— a like English surname in sound
Weston— a like place-based English name
Emerson— a like surname turned first name
Holt— a like one-beat nature surname

Explore names like Holmes

By themeenglishnaturesurnameliterary
By meaningSea / WaterEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Holmes mean?

Holmes is an English surname meaning 'islands' or 'water-meadows,' from Old Norse holmr; it's famous through Sherlock Holmes, which we note.

How do you pronounce Holmes?

It's said HOHMZ /ˈhoʊmz/ — one syllable, the 'l' silent.

Is Holmes a boy or girl name?

Holmes is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Holmes?

Holmes is rare as a first name in the U.S., more familiar as a surname and literary name.

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