Holmes Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Holmes is an Old English name meaning 'hollow' or 'valley.' It evolved from the Old English 'holh' to become a surname in the Middle Ages and has maintained its relevance through notable figures and cultural references. Its modern perception is often linked to intelligence and deduction, especially due to the influence of Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictional detective.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Holmes"
Pronunciation
/hoʊmz/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Holmes is derived from the Old English word 'holh,' which means 'a hollow' or 'a place in the valley.' It was used as a surname for those who lived near such geographical features.
Meaning
hollow, valley
Language Evolution
Holh (Old English), Holmes (Middle English), Holmes (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The surname gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages and has remained in use into modern times, often associated with notable figures and characters.
Variants & Derivatives
Holm, Holmeson
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Holmes is commonly associated with intelligence and deductive reasoning, largely influenced by the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
Famous People
Sherlock Holmes (fictional character), Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (American physician and writer), Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (American jurist)
📊 Holmes Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Holmes Name Visualizations
✨ Holmes Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 24 peak births in 1915
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Holmes"
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 "Holmes"
"Holmes" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1804th of 7545 | 294 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2321st of 6773 | 190 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4138th of 7552 | 64 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7574th of 10718 | 21 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14599th of 23106 | 30 |
Regional Popularity of "Holmes" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
84.53% 2000th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
91.29% 2148th/2353 |
- |
| 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 "Holmes" by Generation for Female 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) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Holmes"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Holmes" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Holmes" in the United States
The name Holmes is most popular in Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. 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. From 2020-2022, Holmes has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Holmes' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1804th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2321st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4138th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7574th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14599th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Holmes' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.