Molly

♀ Girl

Pronounced MOL-ee /ˈmɒl.i/High

Meaning: Diminutive of Mary/Margaret; Mary means 'sea of bitterness' or 'wished-for child' from Hebrew MiriamHigh

In 30 seconds: The quintessential English diminutive of Mary and Margaret, meaning 'wished-for child' or 'sea of bitterness.' Eternally warm and friendly, it's one of the great folk-name classics.

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Origin HighHebrew, Old English

MeaningDiminutive of Mary/Margaret; Mary means 'sea of bitterness' or 'wished-for child' from Hebrew Miriam

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 163,300

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Molly emerged in medieval England as a pet form of Mary (via the rhyming substitution Mol/Moll) and also of Margaret. Mary derives from Hebrew Miriam, whose meaning is debated but often given as 'sea of bitterness,' 'beloved,' or 'wished-for child.' Molly appears in English ballads and folklore from the 17th century onward, including the famous song 'Good Molly Malone.'

Molly was a top name in England and Ireland from the 17th through 19th centuries, declined in the early 20th, and has enjoyed a robust revival since the 1980s. It ranks consistently in the top 100 in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Its cheerful, approachable sound gives it timeless appeal.

Did you know? In 18th-century English slang, 'molly' was a term for a kept woman or an effeminate man — a usage that has completely vanished, leaving the name entirely positive today.

Variations

MolliePollyMaryMargaret

Nicknames

Mol

Famous Bearers

★Molly Ringwald (b. 1968)
American actress, icon of 1980s teen films including <em>The Breakfast Club</em>.

If you like Molly…

Millie— same bubbly two-syllable -ie/-y ending, equally classic

Ellie— warm, friendly short -ie name with the same timeless appeal

Sadie— vintage -ie name equally popular in the modern revival

Annie— cheerful, short classic in the same friendly register

Frequently Asked

What does the name Molly mean?

Molly is a pet form of Mary and Margaret; Mary comes from Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'wished-for child' or 'sea of bitterness.'

How do you pronounce Molly?

Molly is pronounced MOL-ee (/ˈmɒl.i/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Molly a boy or girl name?

Molly is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Molly?

Molly has been a top-100 girls' name in the U.S., UK, and Ireland for decades, with no signs of fading.