Holding steady.
Popularity of Pollie since 1880
Babies named Pollie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Pollie's real moment was 1897.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 86 |
| 1890s | 152 |
| 1900s | 170 |
| 1910s | 198 |
| 1920s | 229 |
| 1930s | 156 |
| 1940s | 129 |
| 1950s | 86 |
| 1960s | 32 |
| 1970s | 22 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Pollie is a classic diminutive of Mary that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. First recorded in 1880, it reached its peak year in 1897, when it was a familiar choice for baby girls. Since then, usage has steadily declined, and it has not appeared in the top 1000 for decades, though it remains in occasional use as a vintage nickname style. Its trajectory has been stable at low levels, and it has not seen a notable revival. Pollie evokes the charm of a bygone era without the weight of historical figures.
Pollie is a diminutive form of Mary, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Miriam. The meaning of Mary is debated, but common interpretations include 'beloved' and 'bitter'. Pollie emerged in the 19th century as a pet form, often used independently.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pol, Polly
Sibling names for Pollie
Names that share Pollie's style, for a brother or sister.
