Polly is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. The name is derived from the Middle English word "poli," which means "hairy" or "curly-haired." It was originally used as a nickname for people with particularly curly or abundant hair.
The use of Polly as a given name for girls became popular in the 18th century, thanks in large part to the character Polly Peachum from John Gay's 1728 play "The Beggar's Opera." The character was a servant girl who was known for her wit and charm, and her name became associated with these qualities. Since then, Polly has been used as a female given name, often as a short form of other names like Pauline or Polyxena.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Polly. One of the most famous is Polly Want a Cracker?, a phrase made popular by a mischievous African Grey parrot named Griffin who lived in the 1950s and 1960s. The phrase has become a classic pop culture reference and continues to be widely recognized today.
Today, Polly remains a popular name for girls and is often chosen for its friendly and approachable sound. It can also make a charming middle name option, thanks to its short and sweet nature. While it may have started out as a nickname for people with distinctive hair, Polly has since evolved into a name with its own unique identity and history.
The name Polly experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. In its peak years between 1914 and 1928, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Polly, with a total of 7,562 births during this period alone. However, from the late 1930s onwards, the name began to lose favor, with fewer than 100 Pollys born each year between 1948 and 1993. In recent years, Polly has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with more than 50 births recorded annually since 2014. Overall, there have been 29,511 babies named Polly from 1880 to 2023.