"near the holly trees"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Hollis
Pronunciation: [ h-AHL-ihs ]
Boy Name
#1,055 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
Old English nature name with timeless surname style
English
American
Vintage
Earthy
Literary
Sophisticated
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"dweller by the holly"
Origin: Old English surname
Language: English
The Story of Hollis
Hollis derives from the Old English 'holegn' meaning holly, the evergreen plant, combined with a locative suffix indicating someone who lived near holly trees. It began as an English surname before transitioning to a given name in the United States. The holly tree has been sacred in many European traditions — representing protection, good fortune, and eternal life — giving Hollis meaningful symbolic depth.
Hollis has grown among parents seeking surname-style names with nature connections and vintage appeal. It sits in the same family as Holden and Harris but feels fresher, and its nature meaning (holly trees) appeals to parents who love the name Holly but want something less expected.
Holly holds deep significance in European winter traditions — the Romans associated it with Saturn during Saturnalia, and it became central to Christmas traditions in England and America. Hollis thus carries these seasonal and sacred associations while feeling more substantial and surname-like than Holly.
Fun Facts
- Hollis is also the name of a neighborhood in Queens, New York, famous as the birthplace of hip-hop group Run-DMC
- The holly plant has been considered sacred since ancient Celtic times when druids believed it offered protection against evil spirits in winter
- Hollis Brown is a character in Bob Dylan's 1963 song about rural poverty, giving the name folk music credentials
Hollis in Other Languages
French
Hollis
German
Hollis
English
Hollis
Spanish
Hollis
Japanese
ホリス
Famous People Named Hollis
H
Hollis Price
Athlete
1980
Professional basketball player who played in the NBA and European leagues after a standout career at Oklahoma
H
Hollis Frampton
Artist
1936
American avant-garde filmmaker and photographer considered one of the most important experimental filmmakers of the 20th...
American avant-garde filmmaker and photographer considered one of the most important experimental filmmakers of the 20th century
H
Hollis Mason Fictional
Other
The original Nite Owl in Alan Moore's Watchmen graphic novel, one of the first generation of masked heroes
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,055
- Total SSA Count
- 208
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Holli
Holly
Pairs Well With
Hollis James
Hollis Reed
Hollis Dean
Hollis Grant
Hollis Wayne
Hollis Finn
Hollis Clark
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Hollis is also used as a girl name, ranked #1239.
View Hollis as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hollis
What does the name Hollis mean?
"near the holly trees" (from Old English). "dweller by the holly" (from Old English surname). Hollis derives from the Old English 'holegn' meaning holly, the evergreen plant, combined with a locative suffix indicating someone who lived near holly trees. It began as an English surname before transitioning to a given name in the United States. The holly tree has been sacred in many European traditions — representing protection, good fortune, and eternal life — giving Hollis meaningful symbolic depth.
What is the origin of the name Hollis?
Hollis has Old English, Old English surname, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "near the holly trees". In Old English surname, it means "dweller by the holly".
Is Hollis a boy or girl name?
Hollis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1055. As a girl name, it is ranked #1239. Hollis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hollis?
Hollis is pronounced h-AHL-ihs.
How popular is the name Hollis?
Hollis is currently ranked #1055 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hollis?
Common nicknames for Hollis include Holli and Holly.
What are good middle names for Hollis?
Popular middle name pairings include Hollis James, Hollis Reed, Hollis Dean, Hollis Grant, Hollis Wayne, Hollis Finn, and Hollis Clark.
What are good sibling names for Hollis?
Names that pair well with Hollis as siblings include Callum, Rowan, Wren, Hazel, Birch, Thatch, and Sable.
How many syllables does Hollis have?
Hollis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hollis a common or rare name?
Hollis is an uncommon name, ranked #1055 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hollis
Hollis is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "near the holly trees" in Old English .
Is Hollis a boy or girl name? Hollis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,055 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,239. Hollis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Hollis is currently ranked #1,055 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hollis has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AHL-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hollis include Holli and Holly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Hollis include Holland . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.