Holly

See also: holly and holy

English

Alternative forms

• (given name) Hollie, Hollee, Holli, Hollye
• (surname) Holley

Etymology

Various origins: locational surname (Old English hol leah); short form of Holiday; after the holly tree. As a feminine given name popularized by Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (especially the 1961 film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn).

Proper noun

Holly

1. A female given name from English.
   • 1929 Joyce Lankester Brisley: More of Milly-Molly-Mandy. Chapter 8:

     Grandma said, "I used to know a little girl called Holly - she always had her dresses trimmed with red or green." Milly-Molly-Mandy thought that was quite a nice name.

   • 2006 Joyce Winters: Let Your Light Shine →ISBN page 209:

     "Holly, would you mind if I named my little girl 'Holly'? I mean, it's right around Christmas time, and I always think of holly with Christmas.

2. A topographic surname from Middle English
3. (rare) A male given name transferred from the surname.