The nameMolly
Molly is a pet form of Mary. It was very popular in England and Wales around 2000.
- Girl's name
- English and Irish
Meaning
Molly comes from Mary, through the medieval pet forms Mally and Molly. Mary comes from the Hebrew Miryam.
Origin
English and Irish, from a diminutive.
History
Molly Malone, the fishmonger of Dublin's unofficial anthem, made the name famous. In England and Wales it reached 15th place in 2001 and 2002.
Did you know?
- Molly Brown, the "Unsinkable" Titanic survivor, urged the crew of her lifeboat to go back for people in the water.
Famous people named Molly
- Molly Ringwald, actress
- Molly Brown, Titanic survivor
Popularity of the name Molly
Molly in the United States
Molly was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 36,629 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Molly. Its rise began around 1947, and it peaked in 1991. Half of all babies named Molly in the United States were born before 1993. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,522 births a year on average, against 1,925 in the five years before.
Molly in the United Kingdom
Molly was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 25,773 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Molly. Half of all babies named Molly in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 674 births a year on average, against 1,109 in the five years before.
Molly in Ireland
Molly in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Molly
Names from the same generation as Molly, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Molly? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Molly with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Molly side by side with the name of your choice.
Molly in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Molly mean?
Molly comes from Mary, through the medieval pet forms Mally and Molly. Mary comes from the Hebrew Miryam.
What is the origin of the name Molly?
English and Irish, from a diminutive.
Is Molly a girl's or a boy's name?
Molly is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Molly?
In 2024, Molly was the 208th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,465 births.
What are the variants of the name Molly?
Variants and related names of Molly include Mary.
What are good sibling names for Molly?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Faith, Hailey, Gracie and Summer for a sister, Chase, Johnny, Blake and Andy for a brother.
Who are famous people named Molly?
Molly Ringwald, actress; Molly Brown, Titanic survivor.