Polly is a given name, most often feminine, which originated as a variant of Molly (a diminutive of Mary). Polly may also be a short form of names such as Polina, Polona, Paula or

Paulina Paulina or Paullina (, ) was a name shared by three relatives of the Roman Emperor Hadrian: his mother, his elder sister and his niece. Mother of Hadrian Domitia Paulina or Paullina, Domitia Paulina Major or Paulina Major, (''Major'' Latin fo ...

People named or nicknamed Polly

Female

Caresse Crosby Caresse Crosby (born Mary Phelps Jacob; April 20, 1892 – January 24, 1970) was the first recipient of a patent for the modern bra, an American patron of the arts, publisher, and the "literary godmother to the Lost Generation of expatriate writ ...

(1891–1970), American patron of the arts, poet, publisher, peace activist and inventor of the first modern brassiere to receive a patent and gain wide acceptance, who was also known as Polly Jacob and Polly Peabody *

Mary Jefferson Eppes Mary Jefferson Eppes (August 1, 1778 – April 17, 1804), known as Polly in childhood and Maria as an adult, was the younger of Thomas Jefferson's two daughters with his wife who survived beyond the age of 3. She married a first cousin, John Wayle ...

(1778–1804), a daughter of Thomas Jefferson, known as Polly during her childhood * Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols (1845–1888), a victim of the Whitechapel murders attributed to Jack the Ripper *

PJ Harvey Polly Jean Harvey (born 9 October 1969) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments. Harvey began her career in 1988 when she joined loca ...

(born 1969), English singer/songwriter * Polly Adams (born 1939), English actress * Polly Adler (1900–1962), Russian-born American madam and author * Polly Apfelbaum (born 1955), American contemporary visual artist * Polly Arnold (born 1972), British academic *

Polly Baca Polly Baca (born February 13, 1941) is an American politician who served as Chair of the Democratic Caucus of the Colorado House of Representatives (1976–79), being the first woman to hold that office and the first Hispanic woman elected to the ...

(born 1941), American politician *

Polly Bemis Polly Bemis (September 11, 1853 – November 6, 1933) was a Chinese American pioneer who lived in Idaho in the late 19th and early 20th century. Her story became a biographical novel, and was the subject of the 1991 film '' Thousand Pieces of Go ...

(1853–1933), Chinese-American pioneer *

Polly Bennett Polly Mooney Bennett (1922–2003) was an American artist. She is associated with the Gee's Bend quilting collective and was a member of the Freedom Quilting Bee The Freedom Quilting Bee was a quilting cooperative based in Rehobeth, Alabama, that ...

(1922–2003), American artist *

Polly Bergen Polly Bergen (born Nellie Paulina Burgin; July 14, 1930 – September 20, 2014) was an American actress, singer, television host, writer and entrepreneur. She won an Emmy Award in 1958 for her performance as Helen Morgan in ''The Helen Mo ...

(1930–2014), American actress and singer * Polly Berry (c. 1818–c. 1870–1880), African-American slave who successfully sued for her freedom and that of her daughter * Polly Borland (born 1959), Australian photographer *

Polly Bradfield Polly Bradfield is an American violinist from the New York City free improvisation scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her closest musical associates were Eugene Chadbourne and John Zorn. She also played on records by William Parker and F ...

, American violinist * Polly Brown (born 1947), English singer * Polly Draper (born 1955), American actress, screenwriter, playwright, producer and director * Polly Dunbar, British author and illustrator * Polly Emery (1875–1958), British actress * Polly Granzow (born 1941), Iowa State Representative from the 44th District * Polly Hill (economist) (1914–2005), British economic historian * Polly Hill (horticulturist) (1907–2007), American horticulturist * Polly Holliday (born 1937), American actress * Polly Horvath (born 1957), Canadian author * Polly James - multiple people ** Polly James (born 1941), British actress **

Polly James (broadcaster) Polly James (formerly Polly Lake; born ) is a Welsh radio and television presenter. She has presented for Absolute Radio, Radio X, and Capital South Wales. She has been a television sports broadcaster, covering darts for Sky Sports, as well as ...

(fl. 2010 -), British broadcaster **

Polly James (screenwriter) Polly James was an American screenwriter and TV writer active in the 1940s and 1950s. Much of her work was in the Western genre. For many years she lived with sculptor Nína Sæmundsson on Camrose Drive near the Hollywood Bowl. She was a member ...

(fl. 1940's - 1950's), American screen writer *

Polly Klaas Polly is a given name, most often feminine, which originated as a variant of Molly (a diminutive of Mary). Polly may also be a short form of names such as Polina, Polona, Paula or Paulina. People named or nicknamed Polly Female * Caresse Cros ...

(1981–1993), American murder victim *

Polly Lada-Mocarski Laura "Polly" Lada-Mocarski (born Laura Mitchell Klots; 1902–1997) was an American craftsperson, rare book scholar, bookbinder, book preservationist, educator, and the inventor of the PolyCase, an exhibition display for old and rare books. She se ...

(1902–1997), American bookbinder, inventor and rare book scholar *

Polly Maberly Polly Maberly (born 1976) is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Kitty Bennet in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of ''Pride and Prejudice''. She is the older sister of actress Kate Maberly. Television * ''The Children of Green Knowe ...

(born 1976), English actress *

Polly Marshall Olive Mary "Polly" Marshall (17 May 1932 – March 1995) was an English cricketer who played, as a right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler. She appeared in 13 Test matches for England between 1954 and 1966. She played domestic cricket f ...

, English professional cricketer *

Polly Matzinger Polly Celine Eveline Matzinger (born July 21, 1947, in La Seyne, France) is a French-born Immunology, immunologist who proposed the danger model theory of how the immune system works. Early years Polly Matzinger was born on July 21, 1947, in Fra ...

(born 1947), French immunologist *

Polly Allen Mellen Polly Mellen (''née'' Allen; born June 18, 1924) is an American stylist and retired fashion editor. For more than sixty years, she served as the fashion editor at ''Harper's Bazaar'' and ''Vogue''. From 1991 to 1999 she was the creative directo ...

(born 1924), American stylist and fashion editor for ''Harper's Bazaar'' and ''Vogue'' * Polly Moran (1883–1952), American actress and comedian * Polly Nelson (born 1952), American attorney and author * Polly Pattullo, British author, journalist, editor and publisher *

Polly Paulusma Polly Paulusma (born 10 November 1976) is an English singer-songwriter. Career Her first album, ''Scissors in my Pocket'', was largely recorded and produced by herself at her home. A second album, ''Cosmic Rosy Spine Kites'' (a virtual anagra ...

(born 1976), English singer-songwriter *

Polly Perkins Polly Perkins (born Gillian Nessie Arnold, 31 May 1943) is a British actress, singer and writer. Perkins rose to fame in the 1960s as a popstar, going on to regularly appear in theatre and cabaret throughout the UK. She is known for playing Ros ...

(born 1943), British actress, singer and writer * Polly Platt (1939–2011), American film producer, production designer and screenwriter * Polly Powrie (born 1987), New Zealand sailor *

Polly Renton The Honourable Polly Renton, born Penelope Sally Rosita Renton (4 March 1970 – 28 May 2010), was an award-winning British documentary film maker and proponent of ethical journalism, who played an important part in transforming political televisi ...

(1970–2010), British documentary film maker *

Polly Riley Polly Ann Riley (August 27, 1926 – March 13, 2002) was an American amateur golfer. Riley won over 100 tournaments in her career. Although she remained an amateur throughout her career, she won the first LPGA Tour event, the 1950 Tampa Open ...

(1926–2002), American amateur golfer *

Polly Rosenbaum Edwynne Cutler "Polly" Rosenbaum (September 4, 1899 – December 28, 2003) was a teacher and politician who was Arizona's longest-serving state legislator, representing Gila County in the Arizona House of Representatives for 46 years.

(1899–2003), American politician and teacher *

Polly Rowles Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Rowles (January 10, 1914 – October 7, 2001 in Concord, New Hampshire) was an American actress. Early years Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rowles was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph T. Rowles. Her father was a s ...

(1914–2001), American actress * Polly Samson (born 1962), English journalist and writer *

Polly Scattergood Polly Scattergood (born 18 October 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. She has been described as ethereal, dark, intense and quirky, while her musical style has been described as "early 21st century electro-dance-pop of London proper". ...

(born 1986), English singer-songwriter *

Polly Shackleton Pauline "Polly" Ehrlich Shackleton (June 19, 1910 – July 14, 1997)''U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014'' was an American Democratic politician in Washington, D.C. She was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the D ...

(1910–1997), American politician *

Polly Shannon Polly Shannon (born September 1, 1973) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Margaret Trudeau in the 2002 miniseries '' Trudeau'', a film about the late Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau. Biography Polly Shannon was ...

(born 1973), Canadian actress *

Polly Smith Polly Smith may refer to: * Polly Smith (inventor), (born 1949), American costume designer and inventor of the sports bra * Polly Smith (photographer) Frances Sutah "Polly" Smith (December 29, 1908 – June 18, 1980) was an American photogra ...

(1908–1980), American photographer *

Polly Stenham Polly Stenham (born 16 July 1986) is an English playwright known for her play ''That Face'', which she wrote when she was 19 years old. Background Stenham was born and raised in London. She attributes her love of theatre to her father as he to ...

(born 1986), English playwright *

Polly Stockton Polly Stockton (born 23 October 1973) is a British event rider. Stockton is a member of the British World Class Performance squad. She attended Adcote School in Shropshire. Stockton has had a successful career as a young rider; she won the te ...

(born 1973), British event (horse) rider * Poly Styrene (1957–2011) professional name of Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, British musician and singer-songwriter *

Polly Swann Polly Swann (born 5 June 1988) is a British rower and a member of the Great Britain Rowing Team. She is a former World and European champion in the women's coxless pairs, having won the 2013 World Rowing Championships at Chungju in Korea, and t ...

(born 1988), British rower and world champion in the women's coxless pairs *

Polly Sy Polly Wee Sy is a Filipino mathematician specializing in functional analysis. She is a professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the former head of the mathematics department at the university, and the former pr ...

, Filipino mathematician *

Polly Teale Polly Teale (born December 1962) is a British theatre director and playwright best known for her work with the Shared Experience theatre company, of which she was an artistic director. Career In 2002, Teale directed a production of Helen Edmunds ...

(born 1962), British writer and theater director *

Polly Toynbee Mary Louisa "Polly" Toynbee (; born 27 December 1946) is a British journalist and writer. She has been a columnist for ''The Guardian'' newspaper since 1998. She is a social democrat and was a candidate for the Social Democratic Party in the 19 ...

(born 1946), British journalist and writer *

Polly Lauder Tunney Polly Lauder Tunney (born Mary Josephine Lauder; April 24, 1907 – April 12, 2008) was an American philanthropist and Connecticut socialite. An heiress to the United States Steel fortune through her grandfather George Lauder and her great-unc ...

(1907–2008), American philanthropist and socialite, wife of boxer Gene Tunney * Polly Walker (born 1966), English actress *

Polly Ward Polly Ward (born Byno Poluski; 30 June 1912–23 February 1987) was a British singer and actress. Filmography * ''The Marriage Business'' (1927) * '' Alf's Button'' (1930) * ''Harmony Heaven'' (1930) * '' His Lordship'' (1932) * '' Kentucky Mins ...

(1912–1987), British singer and actress *

Polly Ann Young Polly Ann Young (October 25, 1908 – January 21, 1997) was an American actress. Biography Young was born in Denver, Colorado. Actresses Loretta Young and Sally Blane were her sisters. From 1917 to 1941, she was featured in over 40 movies, ...

(1908–1997), American actress, sister of Loretta Young *

Polly Young Polly Young (also known as Mary Young, Maria Young, Polly Barthélemon and Maria Barthélemon) (7 July 1749 – 20 September 1799) was an English soprano, composer and keyboard player. She was part of a well-known English family of musicians tha ...

(1749–1799), English soprano, composer and keyboard player

Male

* Bill Perkins (Australian rules footballer) (1920–2009), also known as Polly *

Graham Farmer Graham Vivian "Polly" Farmer (10 March 1935 14 August 2019) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the East Perth Football Club and West Perth Football Club in th ...

(1935–2019), Australian rules football player and coach, nicknamed Polly * Polly Umrigar (1926–2006), Indian cricketer * Polly Wolfe (1888–1939), American Major League Baseball player

Fictional characters

*Alfred Polly, title character of ''

The History of Mr Polly ''The History of Mr. Polly'' is a 1910 comic novel by H. G. Wells. Plot summary The protagonist of ''The History of Mr. Polly'' is an antihero inspired by H. G. Wells's early experiences in the drapery trade: Alfred Polly, born circa 1 ...

'', a novel by H. G. Wells *Aunt Polly, in the novels ''

Adventures of Tom Sawyer ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' is an 1876 novel by Mark Twain about a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. It is set in the 1840s in the town of St. Petersburg, which is based on Hannibal, Missouri, where Twain lived as a boy. In the n ...

'' and ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' *Aunt Polly, in the novel ''

Pollyanna ''Pollyanna'' is a 1913 novel by American author Eleanor H. Porter, considered a classic of children's literature. The book's success led to Porter's soon writing a sequel, ''Pollyanna Grows Up'' (1915). Eleven more ''Pollyanna'' sequels, know ...

'' *

Polly Becker Polly Becker is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Victoria Gould from 25 March 1997 until 22 September 1998. Storylines Polly, a journalist, turns up in Albert Square in March 1997 to report the local happen ...

, on the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' (1997–1998) *Cactus Polly, in American-British children's TV series '' Oswald'' *Polly Chuck, in the anime television series ''

Fables of the Green Forest is an anime television series based on a series of books published in the 1910s and 1920s by Thornton W. Burgess which ran on the Japanese network Fuji Television from 7 January 1973 to 30 December 1973. It consists of 52 episodes and was pro ...

'' *Polly Churchill, a main character in Connie Willis' two-part novel '' Blackout/All Clear'' (2010) *Polly Cooper, in the American TV series '' Riverdale'' *Polly Cronin, from 1991 black comedy movie '' Drop Dead Fred'' *Polly Dawson, in the American TV sitcom ''

Soap Soap is a salt of a fatty acid used in a variety of cleansing and lubricating products. In a domestic setting, soaps are surfactants usually used for washing, bathing, and other types of housekeeping. In industrial settings, soaps are use ...

'' *Polly Duncan, Jim Qwilleran's girlfriend in ''The Cat Who . . .'' series by Lillian Jackson Braun *Polly Geist, in the simulation role-playing visual novel game '' Monster Prom'' *Polly Gray, nee Elizabeth Shelby, a senior member of the principal gangster family featured in the BBC TV series ''

Peaky Blinders The Peaky Blinders were a street gang based in Birmingham, England, which operated from the 1880s until the 1910s. The group consisted largely of young criminals from lower- to middle-class backgrounds. They engaged in robbery, violence, racke ...

'' *Polly Maxwell, in the American TV miniseries V (1983) and '' V The Final Battle'' *

Polly O'Keefe The ''Time Quintet'' is a fantasy/science fiction series of five young adult novels written by Madeleine L'Engle. Publishing history The series originated with ''A Wrinkle in Time'', written from 1959 to 1960 and turned down by 26 publishers bef ...

, protagonist or major character in four Madeleine L'Engle novels *

Polly Page ''The Bill'' is a long-running British television police procedural television series, named after a slang term for the police. The Character (arts), characters are all police officers or civilian staff at the fictional Sun Hill (The Bill), Sun ...

, a police constable in British TV series ''The Bill'' *Polly Peachum, in Bertolt Brecht's play ''

The Threepenny Opera ''The Threepenny Opera'' ( ) is a "play with music" by Bertolt Brecht, adapted from a translation by Elisabeth Hauptmann of John Gay's 18th-century English ballad opera, ''The Beggar's Opera'', and four ballads by François Villon, with music ...

'' *Polly Perkins, title character of the 19th-century music hall song ''

Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green "Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green" is the title of an English song, composed by the London music hall and broadside songwriter Harry Clifton (1832–1872), and first published in 1864. It is catalogued as Roud Folk Song Index No. 430. ...

'' * Polly Plantar, a main character in the animated series ''

Amphibia Amphibians are four-limbed and ectothermic vertebrates of the class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arbore ...

'' * Polly Plummer, a main character in C. S. Lewis' novel ''The Magician's Nephew'' *

Polly Pocket Polly Pocket is a toy line of dolls and accessories first founded and designed by Chris Wiggs in 1983 and licensed by Bluebird Toys from 1989 until both entities/properties were acquired by Mattel in 1998. History Polly Pocket was first designe ...

, a main character in the Polly Pocket series * Polly Prince, title character in the film ''Along Came Polly'', played by

Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11, 1969) is an American actress and film producer. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Since her career ...

* Polly (''Underdog''), full name Sweet Polly Purebread, in the American animated TV series ''Underdog'' *

Polly Sherman Polly Sherman is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom ''Fawlty Towers''. Played by Connie Booth, she is Fawlty Towers' long-suffering waitress and maid, hotel maid. Personality Polly is the hotel waitress during the series, and one of only ...

, waitress in the British sitcom ''Fawlty Towers'', played by Connie Booth *Polly Wright, in the 1997 French-American fantasy drama movie '' FairyTale: A True Story'' *Polly, in the 1935 American drama film ''

Orchids to You ''Orchids to You'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring John Boles (actor), John Boles, Jean Muir (actress), Jean Muir and Charles Butterworth (actor), Charles Butterworth.Solomon p.379 The screenplay concerns ...

'' *Polly, the pet parrot of G.I. Joe member

Shipwreck A shipwreck is the wreckage of a ship that is located either beached on land or sunken to the bottom of a body of water. Shipwrecking may be intentional or unintentional. Angela Croome reported in January 1999 that there were approximately ...

from the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' cartoon series *

Polly (Doctor Who) Polly, sometimes called Polly Wright in spin-off material, is a fictional character played by Anneke Wills in the long-running British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. She is a young woman from the year 1966 and was a companio ...

, in the British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', a companion of the First and Second Doctors * Polly the Party Fun Fairy, from the book series ''

Rainbow Magic ''Rainbow Magic'' is a British children's fiction brand originally created by Working Partners and now owned by IoM Media Ventures. It is best known for the children's books published by Orchard Books. The books are ghostwritten by a number of ...

References

{{Given name Feminine given names Lists of people by nickname

People named or nicknamed Polly

Female

Male

Fictional characters

See also

References