Polly Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Polly originates from the English diminutive of Mary, with roots tracing back to the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning 'sea of bitterness.' The name has evolved through history, gaining popularity in the 18th century as an affectionate nickname. It is associated with a playful and charming image today, with notable figures like Polly Bergen and PJ Harvey reinforcing its cultural significance.
The name Polly is most popular in Kentucky, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Polly has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Polly' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6241st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5874th out of 6773 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 393rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 330th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 404th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 653rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2149th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4093rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2954th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Polly' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Polly"
Pronunciation
/ˈpɒli/
Origin
English
Etymology
Polly is a diminutive form of the name Mary, which has roots in the Hebrew name Miriam. The name was popularized in English-speaking countries through its use in nursery rhymes and literature.
Meaning
sea of bitterness
Language Evolution
Miriam, Mary, Polly
Historical Usage
The name Polly became popular in the 18th century, particularly in England, as a term of endearment for Mary.
Variants & Derivatives
Molly, Pollyanna, Pol, Poppy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Polly is often viewed as a charming and playful name, evoking a sense of nostalgia and whimsy.
Famous People
Polly Bergen, Polly Holliday, Polly Jean Harvey (PJ Harvey)
Explore More Polly Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Polly"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Polly"
"Polly" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6241st of 7545 | 13 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5874th of 6773 | 11 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 393rd of 9107 | 5,134 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 330th of 9204 | 7,154 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 404th of 12526 | 9,958 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 653rd of 19264 | 4,009 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2149th of 27321 | 907 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4093rd of 35406 | 543 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2954th of 30306 | 680 |
Regional Popularity of "Polly" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Polly" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
39.83% 564th/1416 |
41.26% 569th/1379 |
12.68% 300th/2366 |
42.56% 486th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
26.97% 417th/1546 |
28.53% 444th/1556 |
11.39% 268th/2353 |
31.09% 481st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
15.99% 356th/2227 |
20.12% 489th/2430 |
12.65% 361st/2853 |
16.54% 459th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
18.15% 533rd/2937 |
22.60% 787th/3483 |
18.53% 652nd/3518 |
18.05% 730th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
71.40% 2631st/3685 |
80.78% 3615th/4475 |
50.42% 2619th/5194 |
36.79% 2324th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
78.20% 4038th/5164 |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
58.72% 4382nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
82.61% 3291st/3984 |
94.54% 4242nd/4487 |
61.95% 4226th/6822 |
70.49% 4424th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Polly"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Polly" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.