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Polly as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Polly

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The baby name Polly is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /ˈpɒli/ (UK), /ˈpɑːli/ or /ˈpɑli/ (US); respelling: POL-ee or PAH-lee.

Polly is English in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: English
Pronunciation: IPA: /ˈpɒli/ (UK), /ˈpɑːli/ or /ˈpɑli/ (US); respelling: POL-ee or PAH-lee

What is the meaning of the name Polly ?

The baby name Polly is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /ˈpɒli/ (UK), /ˈpɑːli/ or /ˈpɑli/ (US); respelling: POL-ee or PAH-lee.

Polly is English in Origin.

Polly is an English pet form that developed from Mary via the medieval diminutive Molly; a familiar consonant switch (M-to-P, as in Meg-to-Peg) produced Polly. The root is Hebrew Miryam, carried into Latin as Maria and then English Mary. Proposed meanings include "beloved," "wished-for child," and maritime senses like "drop" or "star of the sea," which transfer to Polly.

Used in Britain from the 1600s, Polly gained visibility in song and stage - Polly Peachum in The Beggar's Opera and the rhyme "Polly, Put the Kettle On" - and settled as an independent given name by the 19th century. Usage persists across English-speaking countries, where it reads as a vintage, friendly choice. Variant spellings include Pollie and Polley; related forms and elaborations are Molly, Pollyanna, and the root names Mary, Marie, and Maria.

Polly has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Polly

PJ Harvey Musician · Born 1969 · United Kingdom Polly Jean Harvey, better known as PJ Harvey, is best known as an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. She’s known for acclaimed songs like "Down by the Water," "To Bring You My Love," and "Rid of Me," and she also plays a wide range of instruments. Polly Bergen Actor|musician · Born 1930 · United States Polly Bergen was an American actress and singer, best known for her role in the 1962 film 'Cape Fear' alongside Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. She also won an Emmy Award for her performance in 'The Helen Morgan Story' and had a successful singing career with albums like 'Bergen Sings Morgan'. Polly Holliday Actor · Born 1937 · United States Polly Holliday is an American actress best known for her role as the sassy waitress Flo Castleberry on the TV show 'Alice'. Her catchphrase 'Kiss my grits!' became a cultural touchstone. She also appeared in films like 'Gremlins' and 'The Parent Trap'.
Pollyanna McIntosh Actor · Born 1979 · United Kingdom Pollyanna McIntosh is a Scottish actor best known for her role as Jadis in the hit TV series 'The Walking Dead'. She has also appeared in films like 'Exam' and 'The Woman'. Polly Ann Young Actor · Born 1908 · United States Polly Ann Young was an American actress best known for her roles in films during the 1930s and 1940s. She appeared in movies like 'The Man Who Found Himself' and 'The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'. Polly was part of the famous Young sisters, which included actresses Loretta Young and Sally Blane. Polly Draper Actor · Born 1955 · United States Polly Draper is an American actress best known for her role in the television series 'thirtysomething'. She also wrote and directed 'The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie' and its subsequent TV series. Her work has made a significant impact on both television and film.

Celebrity babies named Polly

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Polly Adams Douglas Adams musician ★★★★★

Polly – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
BN 0 #31 2 2,297
NA 0 #31 3 2,537
MO 0 #40 13 2,706
MT 0 #43 1 1,767
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
BG 0 #74 9 1,799
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
CN 0 #81 6 3,857
TW 0 #86 15 4,523
JM 0 #92 2 3,714
KZ 0 #94 1 1,452
ID Girls 0 #102 1 3,319
PH 0 #107 4 5,607
HK Girls 0 #110 1,506 16,104
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
CY Girls 0 #121 5 3,755
OM 0 #121 1 6,215
MT Girls 0 #123 29 3,773
HK 0 #131 288 8,483
BW Girls 0 #134 15 4,216
GR 0 #134 2 3,911
ID Boys 0 #135 1 4,130
MU 0 #137 1 3,613
EE Girls 0 #142 1 1,888
BW Boys 0 #151 4 4,685
Sweden Girls 2022 #160 20 1,568
CR 0 #163 3 5,526
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
HU Boys 0 #174 1 3,954
MO Girls 0 #178 74 7,056
UY 0 #182 1 2,477
AE 0 #183 5 10,220
CZ 0 #186 1 3,154
RU 0 #186 9 3,641
BG Girls 0 #190 34 3,559
LU Girls 0 #190 1 4,850
AR 0 #193 1 2,915
TW Girls 0 #202 75 8,139
DK 0 #205 2 5,198
AO Girls 0 #217 1 4,575
NA Boys 0 #219 17 6,830
HU Girls 0 #222 4 3,308
PS 0 #222 5 5,692
AL Girls 0 #227 1 4,141
MO Boys 0 #231 4 5,842
GR Girls 0 #232 11 6,293
NA Girls 0 #232 6 7,146
BD 0 #238 4 5,992
JM Girls 0 #238 22 7,507
AO Boys 0 #249 1 5,568
JP Girls 0 #249 3 6,592
TW Boys 0 #256 1 7,111
RU Girls 0 #259 313 11,913
SG 0 #260 10 11,010
CN Girls 0 #271 79 8,829
NG 0 #272 1 5,926
GR Boys 0 #273 1 6,912
IL 0 #276 7 6,291
Canada Girls 2024 #280 6 2,795
JM Boys 0 #291 3 6,876
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
MY 0 #314 17 12,352
KZ Girls 0 #327 6 5,862
DK Girls 0 #328 2 7,429
PE 0 #328 2 6,350
BR 0 #336 10 5,969
JO Girls 0 #338 2 7,570
QA Girls 0 #338 6 15,378
CZ Girls 0 #347 5 5,378
BD Girls 0 #357 30 8,413
PL Girls 0 #359 6 5,096
GH Boys 0 #360 2 8,138
MU Girls 0 #362 1 8,539
PH Girls 0 #372 19 13,098
JO Boys 0 #389 1 7,057
PH Boys 0 #400 9 11,440
France Girls 2021 #403 3 3,185
OM Girls 0 #417 8 15,987
CL 0 #426 9 6,867
PT Girls 0 #437 15 7,952
MX 0 #442 4 8,339
SG Girls 0 #452 135 18,916
SD Boys 0 #466 1 10,523
ZA 0 #468 7 14,421
AR Boys 0 #482 2 7,628
GT Boys 0 #497 3 7,625
PS Girls 0 #500 24 10,981
PA Boys 0 #505 1 9,305
CO 0 #509 2 7,768
CR Boys 0 #510 1 10,188
HK Boys 0 #513 15 12,905
CR Girls 0 #516 17 11,342
PA Girls 0 #517 2 9,861
RU Boys 0 #523 4 12,621
UY Girls 0 #534 3 6,731
AE Girls 0 #538 16 20,968
IR Girls 0 #540 6 8,334
GT Girls 0 #541 1 7,500
KW Girls 0 #556 6 19,177
CM Girls 0 #559 2 11,671
PS Boys 0 #561 1 10,655
IL Girls 0 #581 37 11,648
BH 0 #584 4 17,937
AR Girls 0 #589 11 8,289
BD Boys 0 #603 3 10,045
IN Girls 0 #620 12 13,121
IL Boys 0 #625 1 10,983
BR Girls 0 #665 288 12,708
IT 0 #671 44 4,183
IQ Boys 0 #697 1 13,071
CL Boys 0 #700 1 13,390
Finland Girls 2026 #732 7 3,895
SG Boys 0 #735 5 17,960
QA Boys 0 #737 7 18,093
BR Boys 0 #740 12 12,213
KW Boys 0 #758 12 18,755
MY Girls 0 #766 232 24,821
SY 0 #767 1 11,684
Germany Girls 0 #781 58 4,949
CL Girls 0 #817 35 14,098
NG Girls 0 #819 8 15,093
United States Girls 2024 #831 86 8,487
CO Boys 0 #909 12 15,656
NL Girls 0 #910 46 5,933
OM Boys 0 #914 5 17,948
SA Girls 0 #916 20 25,931
EG Boys 0 #922 4 15,035
PE Boys 0 #926 1 14,506
PE Girls 0 #928 16 14,861
NL Boys 0 #941 11 5,873
ZA Girls 0 #949 193 25,928
Spain Girls 0 #961 23 5,561
NG Boys 0 #993 9 16,906
EG Girls 0 #1,001 9 14,742
MX Boys 0 #1,026 8 16,355
IN Boys 0 #1,036 4 16,750
CO Girls 0 #1,065 14 16,140
AE Boys 0 #1,081 12 22,615
MY Boys 0 #1,090 22 25,439
ZA Boys 0 #1,099 80 25,619
MX Girls 0 #1,123 61 17,781
IT Girls 0 #1,194 254 9,415
MA 0 #1,199 1 20,986
TR 0 #1,202 10 19,440
DZ 0 #1,232 3 20,130
IT Boys 0 #1,434 38 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,578 37 28,008

Polly is popular in 72 countries — most recent births per country:

Scotland, United Kingdom
Ireland
United States
Sweden
Canada

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People also ask about Polly

Polly is predominantly a girl's name.
Polly is a 2 syllable name, pronounced IPA: /ˈpɒli/ (UK), /ˈpɑːli/ or /ˈpɑli/ (US); respelling: POL-ee or PAH-lee.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Pollie, Pollee and Poly.
Yes, very popular — Polly ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 8 countries.
Polly ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Polly's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 6 notable people named Polly are in our database, including PJ Harvey (Musician), Polly Bergen (Actor|musician), Polly Holliday (Actor).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Polly for their child, including Douglas Adams.