"small forest, wooded grove"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Holt
Pronunciation: [ h-OHLT ]
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Old English for woodland, ruggedly simple
English
American
British
Strong
Earthy
Minimalist
Vintage
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"dweller near the woods"
Origin: Middle English surname
Language: English
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The Story of Holt
Holt derives from the Old English word 'holt,' meaning a small wood or thicket. It was originally a surname given to people who lived near or in a wooded area, following the medieval tradition of topographic surnames. As a given name, it carries an earthy, grounded quality that has made it appealing to modern parents seeking nature-inspired names.
Holt has been gaining traction as part of the broader trend toward short, one-syllable surname-style names for boys. Its nature connection and strong sound have attracted parents looking for an alternative to more common names like Cole or Luke.
In English place names, 'holt' appears in many village names such as Holt in Norfolk and Worcestershire, reflecting the forested landscape of medieval England. The name connects a child to this ancient relationship between people and woodland.
Historical Record
Holt first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,673 babies have been named Holt in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Holt is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,918 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Holt appears in over 20 English village names
- The word 'holt' is still used in British English to describe a small wood
- Holt became a top-1000 US boys name around 2018
Holt in Other Languages
French
Bosquet (equivalent)
German
Holz (equivalent)
Spanish
Holt
Popularity Over Time
#1,918
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Holt
H
Holt McCallany
Actor
1963
American actor known for his role as Bill Tench in Mindhunter on Netflix
H
Harold Holt
Politician
1908
17th Prime Minister of Australia, who disappeared while swimming in 1967
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,918
- Total SSA Count
- 82
- Cultural Origins
- English American British
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Holt
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Holt
What does the name Holt mean?
"small forest, wooded grove" (from Old English). "dweller near the woods" (from Middle English surname). Holt derives from the Old English word 'holt,' meaning a small wood or thicket. It was originally a surname given to people who lived near or in a wooded area, following the medieval tradition of topographic surnames. As a given name, it carries an earthy, grounded quality that has made it appealing to modern parents seeking nature-inspired names.
What is the origin of the name Holt?
Holt has Old English, Middle English surname, English, American, and British origins. In Old English, it means "small forest, wooded grove". In Middle English surname, it means "dweller near the woods".
Is Holt a boy or girl name?
Holt is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Holt?
Holt is pronounced h-OHLT.
How popular is the name Holt?
Holt is currently ranked #1918 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Holt?
Popular middle name pairings include Holt James, Holt William, Holt Edward, Holt Thomas, Holt River, Holt Finn, and Holt Grey.
What are good sibling names for Holt?
Names that pair well with Holt as siblings include Wren, Forrest, Sloane, Blythe, Reed, Sage, and Briar.
How many syllables does Holt have?
Holt has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Holt a common or rare name?
Holt is an uncommon name, ranked #1918 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Holt?
About the Name Holt
Holt is a boy name with English, American, and British origins . The name means "small forest, wooded grove" in Old English .
Holt is currently ranked #1,918 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Holt has 1 syllable and is pronounced h-OHLT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Holt include Holden, Hollis, Holland, Holton, Holston . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis