Find out how popular the first name Hollis has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hollis by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Hollis is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 60% of people named Hollis being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 219 male babies and 160 female babies born with the name Hollis.

The history of the first name Hollis

The name Hollis has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the combination of the words "hol" meaning hollow or hole, and "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing in a forest. It likely emerged as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a hollow or depression in a meadow or woodland area.

The earliest recorded use of Hollis as a given name dates back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Hollis of Ermington, a landholder in Devon, England, mentioned in records from around 1275.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Hollis Ayloffe was recorded as a landowner and member of the gentry in Berkshire, England. He lived during the reign of King Edward III, circa 1330-1380.

During the English Renaissance, Hollis Greville (1554-1619) was a prominent figure, serving as a member of Parliament and courtier to Queen Elizabeth I. He was also a patron of the arts and a supporter of the Virginia Company, which established the first permanent English settlement in North America.

In the 17th century, Hollis Frampton (1636-1701) was an English politician and member of the House of Commons, representing the borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.

Another notable bearer of the name was Hollis French (1779-1849), an American politician and lawyer who served as the 22nd Governor of New Hampshire from 1831 to 1838.

While the name Hollis has historically been more common in English-speaking countries, it has also been used in other cultures and languages over time, likely adopted from its English origins.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Hollis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hollis, please contact us.

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