Holding steady, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Holy since 1975
Babies named Holy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Holy's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 14 | 0 |
| 1980s | 13 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 17 | 0 |
| 2010s | 77 | 15 |
| 2020s | 55 | 7 |
Meaning & origin
Holy is a rare virtue name drawn directly from the English word meaning 'sacred'. First recorded in the United States in 1975, it remains uncommon: as of 2025, its rank is 9,457th, with approximately 1 in 160,727 newborn girls receiving the name. Its peak year was 2022, which has been the most popular year for the name to date. Holy has not appeared in the top baby names for any state in recent years, reflecting its niche usage. The name is likely chosen for its religious connotations, though it remains a rarely used alternative to more common virtue names like Grace or Faith.
The name Holy derives directly from the Old English word 'hālig', meaning 'holy, sacred, consecrated'. It has been used as a given name, albeit rarely, often in religious contexts or as a virtue name. Its usage in the United States is minimal and recent, first recorded in 1975.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Holly
Sibling names for Holy
Names that share Holy's style, for a brother or sister.
