"star of the sea, beloved"
Origin: Hebrew/Latin
Language: English
Polli
Old-fashioned bright and new again
American
British
Australian
Irish
Vintage
Cheerful
Sweet
Retro Chic
Share
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Polli's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Meaning & Origin
"drop of the sea, sea of bitterness"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
The complete Polli report. $9.
Popularity trend, state rankings, playground safety score, famous namesakes, sibling compatibility, and printable nursery art.
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Polli
Polli is a charming variant of Polly, which itself is a medieval English pet form of Mary — via the rhyming transformation from Molly to Polly. Mary traces back to the Hebrew Miriam and possibly to the Egyptian 'mry' (beloved) or 'mr ym' (gift of the sea). This linguistic journey — from ancient Hebrew through Latin and French to medieval England — produced one of the most cheerful, bouncy names in the English language. The double-L spelling of Polli gives it a fresh, modern twist while keeping all the vintage warmth intact. Polly was so universally loved in Georgian England that 'Polly' became synonymous with a pet parrot.
Polly/Polli is riding a wave of vintage name revival. As parents seek names that feel genuinely old-fashioned rather than merely retro, Polly stands out alongside Bea, Nell, and Mabel as names that feel like they belong to a grandmother and a newborn simultaneously.
Polly is woven deeply into English and American folk culture — from the nursery rhyme 'Polly Put the Kettle On' to the Rolling Stones' 'Miss You' (with its Polly refrain). The name carries centuries of cheerful, capable, down-to-earth femininity.
Fun Facts
- Polly was so commonly used as a name for pet parrots in Georgian England that 'Polly' became a generic term for any parrot
- Polly was a top 50 US name in the 1880s-1920s and is now enjoying a comeback
- The rhyming shift from Mary to Molly to Polly is one of the most documented nickname evolutions in English naming history
Polli in Other Languages
Irish
Máire
Latin
Maria
Welsh
Mair
Hebrew
מִרְיָם
Popularity Over Time
#17,169
Current Rank
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Polli
P
Polly Holliday
Actor
1937
American actress famous for her role as Flo in the TV series Alice, embodying Polly's warm, spirited personality
P
Polly Bergen
Actor
1930
American actress and singer, Emmy Award winner who brought classic charm to the name Polly
P
Polly (nursery rhyme character) Fictional
Other
The beloved Polly of 'Polly Put the Kettle On,' one of the most recognizable names in English nursery rhyme tradition
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #17,169
- Total SSA Count
- 8
- Cultural Origins
- American British Australian Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Poll
Polls
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Polli fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Polli →Compare Polli with...
Same Origin Names (American)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Polli and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Polli sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Polli
What does the name Polli mean?
"star of the sea, beloved" (from Hebrew/Latin). "drop of the sea, sea of bitterness" (from Hebrew). Polli is a charming variant of Polly, which itself is a medieval English pet form of Mary — via the rhyming transformation from Molly to Polly. Mary traces back to the Hebrew Miriam and possibly to the Egyptian 'mry' (beloved) or 'mr ym' (gift of the sea). This linguistic journey — from ancient Hebrew through Latin and French to medieval England — produced one of the most cheerful, bouncy names in the English language. The double-L spelling of Polli gives it a fresh, modern twist while keeping all the vintage warmth intact. Polly was so universally loved in Georgian England that 'Polly' became synonymous with a pet parrot.
What is the origin of the name Polli?
Polli has Hebrew/Latin, Hebrew, American, British, Australian, and Irish origins. In Hebrew/Latin, it means "star of the sea, beloved". In Hebrew, it means "drop of the sea, sea of bitterness".
Is Polli a boy or girl name?
Polli is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Polli?
Polli is currently ranked #17169 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Polli?
Common nicknames for Polli include Poll and Polls.
What are good middle names for Polli?
Popular middle name pairings include Polli Jean, Polli Mae, Polli Rose, Polli Anne, and Polli Claire.
What are good sibling names for Polli?
Names that pair well with Polli as siblings include Molly, Bea, Archie, and Ned.
How many syllables does Polli have?
Polli has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Polli a common or rare name?
Polli is an uncommon name, ranked #17169 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Polli
Polli is a girl name with American, British, Australian, and Irish origins . The name means "star of the sea, beloved" in Hebrew/Latin .
Polli is currently ranked #17,169 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Polli has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Polli include Poll and Polls. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Polli include Polly . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.