The baby name Holland sounds like a twenty-first century pick in the key of London or Brooklyn. But this name has been around longer than you might guess.
Thanks to Jess for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
THE MEANING OF HOLLAND
Most of us immediately recognize Holland as a place, one we might associate with wooden shoes and windmills.
In English, we tend to use Holland and the Netherlands interchangeably. Technically, the Netherlands is the correct name. Holland refers to a specific region. The word comes from the phrase holt land – wood land, or maybe hoh land – high land. Netherlands means – wait for it – lower countries.
Dutch is even more complicated. It’s the name of the language spoken in the Netherlands, as well as the name of its people. But not so long ago, Dutch meant German … and, in German, Germany’s name is Deutschland – land of the Dutch.
But Holland endures, a place name that feels picturesque, European, romantic.
HOLLAND AS A SURNAME
Like many a place name, Holland became a surname, sometimes from the nation. But there were other places with similar names, in Lancashire and Derbyshire and Sussex, to name just a few in England, as well as Ireland and Norway. Some of the places have other origins and meanings, but all evolved into Holland over time.
Dozens of famous figures have answered to the surname Holland. Arguably the most famous right now? English actor Tom Holland, best known for playing Peter Parker in the Spider-Man and Avengers movies.
HOLLAND in NEW YORK CITY
Before we leave the map behind, let’s detour into New York.
Driving into New York City from New Jersey, motorists often take the Holland Tunnel.
The city started out as New Amsterdam, so it’s easy to assume that the tunnel is a reference to New York’s Dutch roots. But no. Instead, it was named for engineer Clifford Holland, who spent the 1910s and 20s designing tunnels for all the new automobile traffic in the growing city.
ACTRESS HOLLAND TAYLOR
There’s also actress Holland Taylor. The Philadelphia native started her career in New York theater. One of her early roles? On an ABC sitcom called Bosom Buddies, notable for also starring a young Tom Hanks.
Since then, she’s starred in everything from Legally Blonde to The Practice, Two and a Half Men to The L Word.
While Taylor’s fame almost certainly boosted the baby name Holland – at least for girls – it’s worth noting that it was in use well before her career began.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME HOLLAND?
The baby name Holland debuts in US Social Security Administration data in the year 1888.
In fact, Holland sometimes charts in the boys’ Top 1000 during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, last appearing in 1912.
Odds are that those Hollands were given a family surname as a first.
That might explain some of the early girl Hollands, too. In 1918, five girls received the baby name Holland and it debuted in the girls’ data, too.
More recently, the baby name Holland has surged in use for girls. As of 2023, it stands at an all-time high of #568. It’s ranked in the girls’ Top 1000 every year since 2014.
HOLLY, HOLLIS, HOLLAND
The most popular Hol- name, of course, is nature name Holly. It peaked it in the 1970s and 80s.
Surname name Hollis is having a moment for boys now, returning to the US Top 1000 in 2023 for the first time since 1974.
Other Hol- name options include literary Holden – though the sound is a little different – as well as Holiday/Holliday.
Holland benefits, of course, from possible nickname Holly. Chances are, though, that most families use the name in full.
SPARE & STYLISH
Overall, the baby name Holland feels like a perfect twenty-first century name. It feels fresh and interesting, like something that wouldn’t have been heard in the 1960s or 1990s. But it has history, too – enough to make it feel connected and meaningful.
We’re wild about unisex names, too, from River to Blake to Brighton. Holland feels like the best of all of those categories – a place name and surname that conjures a clear and appealing image, a mix of tulips and canals.
Overall, it’s a stylish choice with plenty of appealing backstory and a strong sound. It’s immediately familiar, but not at all common – a winning combination.
I have a friend who’s Delphine Holland. I thinks it’s such a pretty combo!
Oh my goodness, that is truly lovely …
In 2005, we named our youngest daughter Holland. It was never shortened to Holly. We might call her Holl (pronounced like “Hall”) on occasion. We’ve loved her name and she does, too. It was a great name for a little girl and has transitioned beautifully to her teenage years. We often get compliments on her name and know of three other little Holland’s named in response to her name, It’s also a name, although still rare, that’s leaping up the charts.
My 6 month old son’s name is Holland James. Saw the name Holland on a road sign
We have a baby boy Holland due this September 2020! It was originally on my list for girl options but I decided it felt right for baby boy.
Congrats! I had a (male) co-worker named Holland when I was in college. The only one I’ve ever known! So I have no trouble seeing it on a boy.
Hi, very interesting article. I am a guy, born in the Caribbean and my first name is Holland. It is also extremely rare here as well. In my opinion it is a great name and a great ice breaker for a conversation as well. Most people I have spoken to believe it is a boy’s name, but I guess I am the only person with the name that they ever met, so they are a little bias. Keep up the good work.