Holley is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the occupational surname Holley, which was originally an occupation name for someone who lived or worked at an enclosed field, known as a holly in Middle English.
The name Holly itself is believed to have originated from the Old English word 'holh', meaning 'hollow'. This could refer to either the shape of the land or the presence of hollies (the evergreen shrubs) on the property. The surname Holley has been recorded since the 13th century, but it wasn't until much later that it began to be used as a given name.
In the United States, the name Holley started to gain popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was often used for girls born around Christmas time, likely due to the association with holly plants which are commonly used for decorations during this holiday season. However, it is not exclusively a seasonal name and can be given to children throughout the year.
Today, Holley remains relatively uncommon as a given name compared to other options like Holly or Haley. Nevertheless, those who bear this unique moniker carry with them a rich history rooted in English occupational names and Middle English terminology.
The name Holley has seen a varied number of births in the United States over the years, with fluctuations ranging from as low as five to as high as twelve births per year. The highest peak was reached in 1923 with twelve births.
From 1911 to 1964, there were consistent birth years for Holley, with a total of 175 babies being named Holley during that period. However, the trend began to decline after 1964, with only five births in both 1960 and 1964.
There was a gap in recorded births from 1965 to 1973 before the name resurfaced in 1974 with eight births. Since then, there has been no further data on Holley's popularity as a baby name.
Overall, Holley is not among the most popular or commonly used names in the United States. Its usage as a baby name has declined significantly over time, with the last recorded birth occurring nearly five decades ago.