Jolly
Every Jolly since 1891 — 467 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Jolly
Jolly is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1891, 467 American babies have been named Jolly — about 75% boys and 25% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1937, when 21 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jolly stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Jolly year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | #16,392 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,418 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,403 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | 5 | #4,181 |
| 1960 | — | — | 6 | #3,850 |
| 1955 | 8 | #4,545 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 5 | #3,947 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | 13 | #2,037 |
| 1935 | — | — | 11 | #2,327 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,848 | 10 | #2,700 |
| 1925 | — | — | 5 | #4,572 |
| 1920 | — | — | 9 | #3,080 |
| 1915 | — | — | 8 | #2,948 |
| 1910 | — | — | 5 | #1,722 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Jolly in 2025?
Jolly did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Jolly?
467 babies have been named Jolly in the United States since 1891, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Jolly most popular?
Jolly peaked in 1937, when 21 newborns received the name.
Is Jolly a boy or girl name?
Jolly is used for both: about 25% of babies named Jolly have been girls and 75% boys.
Is the name Jolly rising or falling?
Jolly has been roughly stable over the past decade.