Rising since 2010, #3,314 for boys today.
Popularity of Holston since 2007
Babies named Holston per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 94 |
| 2020s | 189 |
Meaning & origin
Holston is a rare American place-name, drawn from the Holston River in Tennessee and first used as a given name only in 2007, its first recorded year in U.S. Social Security data. The name ascended gradually to a rank of 3,314 in 2025, its peak year, with roughly 1 in 48,802 boys receiving the name that year. Its trajectory since 2010 shows a slow but steady rise in usage, though it remains extremely uncommon. The name's top state in recent years is Tennessee (TN), underscoring its regional Appalachian identity. Parents drawn to surname-style place names with a natural, outdoorsy feel may find Holston appealing, but its sheer rarity means it will stand out almost anywhere. With no etymology beyond the river and the settler, the name is a modern coinage in the English surname tradition, fitting neatly alongside sibling names like Hudson or Easton.
Holston is an English surname transferred to first name use, originating from the Holston River in East Tennessee, named after Stephen Holston, an early American settler. The name gained rarity as a given name, appearing in U.S. records only since 2007. Its usage remains extremely uncommon, with fewer than 1 in 48,000 boys receiving the name in 2025.
Where Holston is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Holt, Solly, Hols
Sibling names for Holston
Names that share Holston's style, for a brother or sister.
