Entry № 0998 · Hebrew, English origin

Polly Polly — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ POL-ee /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Hebrew, English
Meaning
"Bitter, beloved"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
18th c. (English)

A name that means "bitter, beloved".

Polly is an English diminutive of Molly — itself a diminutive of Mary (from the Hebrew Miriam). The shift from M to P followed an old English pet-name pattern (Megan → Peggy, Margaret → Maggie/Peggy).

Polly was hugely popular in 18th and 19th-century England. The character Polly Peachum in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728) gave the name early literary fame. Today Polly is returning fast as part of the vintage revival.

Beloved. An old English pet name with literary roots.

Where Polly stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 198 in 1881
Babies named Polly · last year
187 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №198 NOW · —

Pollys before her.

Real people
Polly Klaas
American child who became symbol of child-safety legislation.
1981 – 1993
In fiction
Polly Peachum
Heroine of The Beggar's Opera.
1728 ballad opera

Names connected to Polly.

The number behind Polly.

7

The Seeker

Polly reduces to seven — the number of warm familiar grace.

Why families chose this name.

"Old-fashioned, sunny, two syllables. Polly was who she was."
Hannah · Mother of one · Edinburgh