Holley is a unique and captivating feminine given name that has gained popularity in recent years. Originating from the English language, Holley is derived from an Old English surname that was derived from a place name. The name Holley originally referred to someone who lived near a hollow or valley.
The meaning behind the name Holley is "hollow," which could symbolize depth, resilience, and inner strength. Despite its simple and straightforward meaning, Holley carries a powerful and memorable ring to it. It's a name that stands out from more common feminine names like Emma, Olivia, or Charlotte while still being easy to pronounce and spell.
Throughout history, there haven't been many notable figures with the first name Holley. However, this lack of historical prominence hasn't hindered its growth in popularity. In fact, Holley has become increasingly popular as a given name for girls in recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Holley first appeared on the list of most popular baby names for girls in 2007 and has since climbed steadily in popularity.
One notable figure with the name Holley is American singer-songwriter Holley Maher, who gained fame as part of the indie rock band The Like. Maher's musical talent and unique style have helped to bring the name Holley into the public eye and contribute to its growing popularity.
In conclusion, Holley is an appealing and distinctive feminine given name with a rich history rooted in Old English place names. Its simple yet meaningful origin makes it an attractive choice for parents looking for a memorable and powerful name for their daughter that still maintains ease of pronunciation and spelling. As more people become familiar with the name through notable figures like Holley Maher, its popularity is likely to continue growing in the years to come.
The name Holley has been a part of the United States' naming landscape for several decades, with a noticeable increase in its popularity during the mid-20th century.
Looking at the statistics from 1937 to 2023, we can see that there were periods where the name gained traction and others where it saw a decline. The years between 1954 and 1969 marked the name Holley's peak popularity in the U.S., with an average of 68 births per year during this period. The highest number of births recorded for the name Holley was in 1969, with 62 newborn girls sharing this name.
However, the popularity of the name began to decrease after the late 1970s. From 1973 onwards, there were fewer than 90 births per year on average, with some years even dipping below 50 births. The most recent data from 2022 shows that Holley is still being chosen as a baby girl's name, but at a lower rate than in previous decades.
In total, over the span of nearly nine decades, there were 4,411 babies born in the United States who were named Holley. This demonstrates that while the name may not be as popular as it once was, it continues to hold significance among parents choosing names for their daughters.