Holland
/ˈhɑl.ənd/
Holland derives from the Dutch Holt land, meaning “woodland” or alternatively “hollow land”—a reference to the low-lying, forested terrain of the historical County of Holland, now a region of the Netherlands.
It became a given name through the fashion for European place names as American first names.
Holland as a given name in the US is a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging in the late 20th century alongside other geographic names used for girls. It fits the same naming pattern as London, Paris, Savannah, and Vienna.
What the name Holland means
Holland peaked at No. 571 in 2023 with 520 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 602 with 498 births, slightly below its recent high.
Actress Holland Taylor (born 1943, known for Two and a Half Men) is a prominent female bearer. The name also evokes Dutch cultural associations—tulips, canals, and liberal tradition—through its geographic connection.
Two syllables—HOL-und—are clean and confident. The name feels both international and accessible, carrying a European sophistication without the formality of names like Wilhelmina or Beatrix.
Parents choosing Holland often appreciate European sophistication in a compact, two-syllable form, and the fact that the name is rare enough to be distinctive without being invented.
Related place-based names used for girls include London, Paris, Vienna, Denmark, and Berlin—each a European location adopted as a feminine given name in contemporary American culture.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Holland
Holland - similar names
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