Find out how popular the first name Jolly has been for the last 45 years (from 1978 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jolly by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Jolly is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 79% of people named Jolly being female.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jolly.

The history of the first name Jolly

The name Jolly is believed to have originated from the Old French word "jolif," which means "cheerful" or "joyful." This word can be traced back to the Latin word "gaudere," meaning "to rejoice." The name first appeared in English during the 13th century and was often used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with a happy or merry disposition.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jolly can be found in the poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," written in the late 14th century. In this medieval romance, the character of Sir Bertilak is referred to as "the jolly host." This suggests that the name was already in use as a descriptor for someone who was cheerful and hospitable.

During the Renaissance period, the name Jolly became more widespread as a given name. One notable figure was Jolly Robins, an English actor and playwright who lived from around 1580 to 1620. He was known for his comedic roles and his ability to entertain audiences with his lively and jovial performances.

In the 17th century, the name Jolly was sometimes used as a nickname for individuals with a particularly cheerful or jovial demeanor. For example, Sir Thomas Browne, an English author and philosopher born in 1605, was affectionately referred to as "Jolly Tom Browne" by his contemporaries.

Another notable figure with the name Jolly was Jolly Green, an English pirate who was active in the early 18th century. Despite his fearsome reputation as a pirate, he was said to have a cheerful and jolly personality, which likely contributed to his nickname.

In the 19th century, the name Jolly became more popular as a given name, particularly in the United States. One famous bearer of the name was Jolly Baker, an American baseball player who played for the Cincinnati Red Stockings in the 1860s and 1870s. He was known for his jovial and good-natured personality both on and off the field.

As the name Jolly has its roots in qualities of cheerfulness and merriness, it has been associated with individuals who possessed these traits throughout history. While it may not be as common today as it once was, the name continues to carry a sense of lightheartedness and joy.

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 Jolly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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