Holding steady.
Popularity of Holger since 1898
Babies named Holger per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Holger's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 83 |
| 1920s | 72 |
| 1930s | 30 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 11 |
| 1960s | 27 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Holger is a Scandinavian and German name with a strong medieval pedigree. In the United States, it first appeared in Social Security records in 1898 and has never ranked among the top 1,000 names. Its peak year was also 1898, the year it was first recorded, indicating very low and sporadic usage. The name has maintained a stable trajectory, meaning its rarity has remained consistent over the decades. Although no top states are recorded for Holger due to its infrequency, it retains a classic, historic feel in Scandinavian communities. The name's connection to the legendary Holger Danske gives it a cultural resonance that transcends its statistical obscurity.
Holger derives from Old Norse *Hólmgeirr*, composed of *holmr* 'island' and *geirr* 'spear'. It has been used in Scandinavia since the medieval period and was brought to Germany and other regions through cultural exchange. The name is famously associated with the legendary hero Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane), a knight of Charlemagne's court, which cemented its popularity in Denmark.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Holge, Holle, Gerry
Variants: Holger, Holga (female variant)
Sibling names for Holger
Names that share Holger's style, for a brother or sister.
