Meaning of the Name Polly

Choosing a name for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. The name you choose will be with your child for the rest of their life, so it's important to choose a name that has meaning and significance. One name that has been around for centuries and has a rich history is Polly. In this article, we will explore the meaning of the name Polly, its origin, and popularity over the years.

The name Polly is a diminutive of the name Mary, which means 'bitter' or 'beloved'. Polly is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Pauline, which means 'small' or 'humble'.

The name Polly has its roots in ancient Greece, where it was a nickname for the name Apollonia. Apollonia was the name of the Greek goddess of the sun, and the name Polly was used to honor her. The name Polly became popular in England in the 17th century and was often used as a nickname for the name Mary. It was also used as a nickname for the name Pauline in the 19th century.

The name Polly was most popular in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was a top 100 name in the United States from 1880 to 1920. However, its popularity has declined since then, and it is now a relatively uncommon name. In the United Kingdom, the name Polly was most popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It has since declined in popularity but is still a well-known name.

There have been several famous people named Polly throughout history. One of the most well-known is Polly Bergen, an American actress and singer who was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Another famous Polly is Polly Pocket, a popular children's toy that was first introduced in the 1980s. There have also been several fictional characters named Polly, including Pollyanna from the novel of the same name by Eleanor H. Porter.

There are several variations of the name Polly, including Pauline, Paula, Paulette, and Pauletta. These names all have similar meanings and origins to the name Polly and can be used as alternatives if you are looking for a similar name.

In conclusion, the name Polly is a diminutive of the name Mary and has its roots in ancient Greece. It was popular in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s but has since declined in popularity. There have been several famous people named Polly throughout history, and there are several variations of the name that can be used as alternatives. If you are looking for a name that has meaning and significance, Polly is a great choice.