When was Holly most popular?

The name Holly reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Holly Obrien?

The name Holly Obrien combines two different traditions: the first name Holly has English roots, while the surname Obrien originates from Celtic.

Holly Obrien — 181K & 480K bearers

Holly Obrien is a name that combines English origins. The first name Holly is a feminine given name of English origin. Holly is an English-language surname and given name. Holly is known as an English or Irish surname (variant Holley) it is either locational, ultimately derived from the Old English hol lēah "[dwelling by] the clearing by the hollow", or descriptive, from hol-ēage "hollow-eyed". In Ireland, it was also used as a translation of the name Mac Cuilinn, which is derived from cuileann, the Gaelic name of the holly tree, and by extension sometimes of the similar-sounding McQuillan surname of Ulster. The surname Obrien from Irish Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian.' Brian Boru, High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at Clontarf (1014), founded this family. Holly is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 181K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Holly reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Holly

English

Holly is an English-language surname and given name. Holly is known as an English or Irish surname (variant Holley) it is either locational, ultimately derived from the Old English hol lēah "[dwelling by] the clearing by the hollow", or descriptive, from hol-ēage "hollow-eyed". In Ireland, it was also used as a translation of the name Mac Cuilinn, which is derived from cuileann, the Gaelic name of the holly tree, and by extension sometimes of the similar-sounding McQuillan surname of Ulster.

Surname: Obrien

Meaning: descendant of Brian

Celtic

From Irish Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian.' Brian Boru, High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at Clontarf (1014), founded this family.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Holly is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 12%

Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Holly by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Holly Obrien

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Holly Obrien:

9

Expression Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

8

Soul Urge Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

1

Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Holly?: The first name Holly originates from English. Holly is an English-language surname and given name. Holly is known as an English or Irish surname (variant Holley) it is either locational, ultimately derived from the Old English hol lēah "[dwelling by] the clearing by the hollow", or descriptive, from hol-ēage "hollow-eyed". In Ireland, it was also used as a translation of the name Mac Cuilinn, which is derived from cuileann, the Gaelic name of the holly tree, and by extension sometimes of the similar-sounding McQuillan surname of Ulster.
When was Holly most popular?: The name Holly reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Obrien?: The surname Obrien originates from Celtic. From Irish Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian.' Brian Boru, High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at Clontarf (1014), founded this family.
What are the origins of the name Holly Obrien?: The name Holly Obrien combines two different traditions: the first name Holly has English roots, while the surname Obrien originates from Celtic.