"star of the sea; beloved"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin
Language: English
Polly
Pronunciation: [ p-AHL-ee ]
Does Polly flow with your last name?
A sweet British classic with Victorian charm
English
Irish
American
Vintage
Playful
Whimsical
Classic
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"rhyming pet form of Mary"
Origin: Medieval English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Polly want a cracker — parrot association can feel juvenile
The Story of Polly
Polly originated as a medieval English rhyming nickname for Mary (Mary → Molly → Polly), following a common medieval English pattern of rhyming name variations. Mary itself comes from the Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'beloved' or 'sea of bitterness.' By the 18th century, Polly had become an independent given name in its own right, especially beloved in Britain and Ireland.
Polly was hugely popular in 18th and 19th century England, appearing in nursery rhymes ('Polly put the kettle on') and folk songs ('Pretty Polly Oliver'). It has experienced a modest revival in Britain as parents seek Victorian-era charm names, though it remains rare in the US.
In British culture, Polly is a quintessentially cheerful, working-class English name. It appears in Dickens, Shakespeare-adjacent literature, and countless folk songs. In Appalachian and rural American tradition, it was common through the early 20th century.
Historical Record
Polly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 14,302 babies have been named Polly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Polly is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,192 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Polly put the kettle on' dates back to an 1803 English nursery rhyme
- Polly was a common nickname for parrots in the 18th-19th century, hence 'Polly want a cracker'
- The name appeared in the Top 100 in England and Wales as recently as 2016
Polly in Other Languages
French
Pauline
German
Polly
Italian
Paola
Spanish
Paulina
Japanese
ポリー
Popularity Over Time
#2,192
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Polly
P
Polly Harvey
Musician
1969
English singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, Mercury Prize winner known for intense alternative rock
P
Polly Pocket Fictional
Other
Beloved Bluebird toy doll character launched in 1989, icon of 1990s childhood
P
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,192
- Total SSA Count
- 86
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Poll
Pol
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Polly
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Polly is also used as a boy name, ranked #20368.
View Polly as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Polly
What does the name Polly mean?
"star of the sea; beloved" (from Hebrew via Latin). "rhyming pet form of Mary" (from Medieval English). Polly originated as a medieval English rhyming nickname for Mary (Mary → Molly → Polly), following a common medieval English pattern of rhyming name variations. Mary itself comes from the Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'beloved' or 'sea of bitterness.' By the 18th century, Polly had become an independent given name in its own right, especially beloved in Britain and Ireland.
What is the origin of the name Polly?
Polly has Hebrew via Latin, Medieval English, English, Irish, and American origins. In Hebrew via Latin, it means "star of the sea; beloved". In Medieval English, it means "rhyming pet form of Mary".
Is Polly a boy or girl name?
Polly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2192. As a boy name, it is ranked #20368. Polly is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Polly?
Polly is pronounced p-AHL-ee.
How popular is the name Polly?
Polly is currently ranked #2192 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Polly?
Common nicknames for Polly include Poll and Pol.
What are good middle names for Polly?
Popular middle name pairings include Polly Jean, Polly Anne, Polly Mae, Polly Rose, Polly Jane, Polly Grace, and Polly Claire.
What are good sibling names for Polly?
Names that pair well with Polly as siblings include Molly, Nellie, Teddy, Archie, Lily, Percy, and Rosie.
How many syllables does Polly have?
Polly has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Polly a common or rare name?
Polly is an uncommon name, ranked #2192 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Polly
Polly is a girl name with English, Irish, and American origins . The name means "star of the sea; beloved" in Hebrew via Latin .
Is Polly a boy or girl name? Polly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,192 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,368. Polly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Polly is currently ranked #2,192 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Polly has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Polly include Poll and Pol. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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