- Molly Name Origin: English
- Pronunciation: moll-ee
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Molly Name Meaning
Molly is a pet form of the name Mary, which means “bitter” or “wished-for child” in Hebrew. But when it comes to the name Molly, most people associate it with the meaning “star of the sea” or “bitter” which is an Old English meaning. But the most popular meaning associated with the name Molly is “brave warrior” or “strong in battle” which is a modern meaning.
History of the Name Molly
The history of the name Molly is rooted in the Middle Ages, but it’s come a long way since then. It was originally a pet form of the name Mary, which was a popular name during the medieval period. The name Mary comes from the Hebrew name “Miriam,” which means “bitter” or “wished-for child.” But don’t worry, the name Molly doesn’t carry any of that negativity. In fact, the name Molly has come to be associated with all things sweet and charming.
Origins of the Name Molly
Molly first appeared as a given name in the late 17th century, as a pet form of Mary, and it quickly gained popularity in England and Ireland. The name was particularly popular among the working class, who used it as a nickname for their daughters named Mary. The name Molly soon spread to the United States, and it’s been a favorite among American parents ever since.
Popularity of Molly
Molly was a popular name during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has been in decline for the last few decades. However, it’s still a well-known and beloved name. In the early 20th century, it was one of the top 100 most popular names for girls in the United States, and it reached its peak of popularity in the 1970s. The name Molly has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Final Thoughts on the Name Molly
Molly is a classic name that has stood the test of time. It’s a timeless name that never goes out of style and has a timeless appeal. It’s a charming and sweet name that will suit your little girl perfectly. Plus, the name Molly has a strong, modern meaning that will give your daughter a sense of empowerment as she grows up.
In conclusion, Molly is a lovely name that is both classic and modern, it has a timeless appeal, and a meaning that will empower your daughter as she grows up. It’s a great choice for a girl’s name, whether you’re looking for a traditional name or something a little more unique.
Molly Name Popularity
How popular is the name Molly? Here’s everything we know.
- Chart
- Raw Data
- By State
Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 347 | 85 | 0.0241% |
1911 | 378 | 71 | 0.0191% |
1912 | 332 | 144 | 0.0286% |
1913 | 364 | 134 | 0.0236% |
1914 | 349 | 193 | 0.0277% |
1915 | 330 | 288 | 0.0317% |
1916 | 338 | 285 | 0.0295% |
1917 | 361 | 256 | 0.0256% |
1918 | 372 | 269 | 0.0251% |
1919 | 419 | 198 | 0.0189% |
1920 | 438 | 188 | 0.0169% |
1921 | 386 | 259 | 0.0226% |
1922 | 393 | 238 | 0.0214% |
1923 | 391 | 246 | 0.022% |
1924 | 420 | 234 | 0.0202% |
1925 | 457 | 181 | 0.016% |
1926 | 434 | 197 | 0.0179% |
1927 | 426 | 213 | 0.0192% |
1928 | 381 | 263 | 0.0246% |
1929 | 378 | 265 | 0.0256% |
1930 | 364 | 292 | 0.028% |
1931 | 369 | 258 | 0.0261% |
1932 | 361 | 267 | 0.027% |
1933 | 392 | 225 | 0.0242% |
1934 | 364 | 256 | 0.0265% |
1935 | 364 | 257 | 0.0264% |
1936 | 360 | 265 | 0.0275% |
1937 | 375 | 245 | 0.0249% |
1938 | 352 | 292 | 0.0285% |
1939 | 336 | 314 | 0.0309% |
1940 | 346 | 307 | 0.0289% |
1941 | 364 | 295 | 0.0262% |
1942 | 362 | 335 | 0.0265% |
1943 | 377 | 327 | 0.025% |
1944 | 368 | 322 | 0.026% |
1945 | 383 | 296 | 0.0243% |
1946 | 370 | 376 | 0.0255% |
1947 | 358 | 460 | 0.0276% |
1948 | 334 | 510 | 0.0319% |
1949 | 327 | 528 | 0.0328% |
1950 | 323 | 530 | 0.0329% |
1951 | 321 | 572 | 0.0337% |
1952 | 326 | 589 | 0.0337% |
1953 | 348 | 540 | 0.0305% |
1954 | 352 | 559 | 0.0306% |
1955 | 344 | 579 | 0.0315% |
1956 | 341 | 621 | 0.0329% |
1957 | 342 | 663 | 0.0345% |
1958 | 342 | 707 | 0.0374% |
1959 | 341 | 741 | 0.039% |
1960 | 357 | 697 | 0.0368% |
1961 | 338 | 745 | 0.0395% |
1962 | 325 | 793 | 0.0432% |
1963 | 317 | 835 | 0.0465% |
1964 | 287 | 980 | 0.0557% |
1965 | 263 | 1,043 | 0.0638% |
1966 | 264 | 958 | 0.0614% |
1967 | 264 | 987 | 0.065% |
1968 | 263 | 996 | 0.0663% |
1969 | 263 | 1,073 | 0.0696% |
1970 | 259 | 1,158 | 0.0728% |
1971 | 245 | 1,166 | 0.0776% |
1972 | 225 | 1,196 | 0.0878% |
1973 | 194 | 1,311 | 0.1011% |
1974 | 179 | 1,468 | 0.1129% |
1975 | 169 | 1,537 | 0.1196% |
1976 | 150 | 1,721 | 0.1335% |
1977 | 143 | 2,050 | 0.1521% |
1978 | 142 | 1,917 | 0.1426% |
1979 | 139 | 2,018 | 0.1431% |
1980 | 133 | 2,201 | 0.1505% |
1981 | 135 | 2,083 | 0.1417% |
1982 | 131 | 2,312 | 0.1547% |
1983 | 129 | 2,300 | 0.1559% |
1984 | 132 | 2,165 | 0.1455% |
1985 | 120 | 2,420 | 0.1594% |
1986 | 110 | 2,550 | 0.1689% |
1987 | 97 | 2,882 | 0.1889% |
1988 | 86 | 3,457 | 0.2218% |
1989 | 93 | 3,453 | 0.214% |
1990 | 80 | 3,960 | 0.2389% |
1991 | 74 | 4,651 | 0.2853% |
1992 | 83 | 4,136 | 0.2591% |
1993 | 87 | 3,702 | 0.2375% |
1994 | 94 | 3,437 | 0.224% |
1995 | 99 | 3,378 | 0.2241% |
1996 | 99 | 3,307 | 0.2209% |
1997 | 98 | 3,445 | 0.2329% |
1998 | 108 | 3,187 | 0.2129% |
1999 | 100 | 3,323 | 0.2219% |
2000 | 95 | 3,397 | 0.2224% |
2001 | 90 | 3,412 | 0.2264% |
2002 | 107 | 3,112 | 0.2077% |
2003 | 99 | 3,399 | 0.2234% |
2004 | 97 | 3,339 | 0.2191% |
2005 | 97 | 3,208 | 0.2098% |
2006 | 105 | 3,125 | 0.1996% |
2007 | 97 | 3,410 | 0.2161% |
2008 | 103 | 3,318 | 0.2147% |
2009 | 92 | 3,500 | 0.2342% |
2010 | 87 | 3,357 | 0.233% |
2011 | 78 | 3,606 | 0.2531% |
2012 | 90 | 3,256 | 0.2285% |
2013 | 102 | 3,079 | 0.2163% |
2014 | 122 | 2,596 | 0.1782% |
2015 | 141 | 2,242 | 0.1541% |
2016 | 154 | 1,975 | 0.137% |
2017 | 160 | 1,807 | 0.1295% |
2018 | 152 | 1,780 | 0.1296% |
2019 | 157 | 1,726 | 0.1275% |
2020 | 172 | 1,591 | 0.125% |
2021 | 193 | 1,409 | 0.1153% |
2022 | 197 | 1,464 | 0.111% |
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Connecticut (CT)
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Idaho (ID)
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Kentucky (KY)
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Maryland (MD)
Maine (ME)
Michigan (MI)
Minnesota (MN)
Missouri (MO)
Mississippi (MS)
Montana (MT)
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Nebraska (NE)
New Hampshire (NH)
New Jersey (NJ)
New Mexico (NM)
Nevada (NV)
New York (NY)
Ohio (OH)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Pennsylvania (PA)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Carolina (SC)
South Dakota (SD)
Tennessee (TN)
Texas (TX)
Utah (UT)
Virginia (VA)
Vermont (VT)
Washington (WA)
Wisconsin (WI)
West Virginia (WV)
Wyoming (WY)
Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Molly
If you like Molly, you’ll love these other names like Molly.
What names are variants of Molly?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Molly.
Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moll | Star of the sea | Latin | ||
Mollee | Irish | |||
Molley | Irish | |||
Molli | Irish | |||
Mollie | Star of the sea | Latin |
What names sound like Molly?
If you like how Molly sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Molly.
Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mally | Sweet | Latin | ||
Melly | Black, dark-skinned; bee; honey; brave strength | Greek | ||
Milly | Industrious, striving; work; helper to the priest; rival; laborious; eager; bee; honey; gentle strength; brave strength | Latin |
What names are similar to Molly?
Find a name that’s like Molly, but just a little bit different.
Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|
Polly | A diminutive form or nickname for Mary. | Latin |
Lists With Molly
Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Molly.
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Western Girl Names That Can’t Be Tamed //136names
Western girl names offer the spirit of adventure. Get to know them with us and see which suits your little cowgirl.
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Little Girl Names for Your Sweet Baby //173names
Little girl names embrace their youth with sweet sounds and even sweeter meanings. Browse our list of them and find the perfect fit for your little one.
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Tough Girl Names for Your Little Firecracker //181names
Tough girl names aren’t going to be bossed around through life. These mighty monikers are ready to call the shots and forge their own path. Discover them with us.
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Girl Bunny Names for Your Floppy-Eared Friend //195names
Do you have a new lady rabbit hopping around and needing a name? Check out our collection of girl bunny names, including food-themed finds, pretty princesses, and so much more.
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Soft Girl Names That Are Sweet and Serene //223names
Soft girl names perfectly suit a little girl ready for life’s adventures. Check out our list of gentle picks, including darling meanings, faraway origins, and so much more.
Siblings of Molly
Mamas with kids named Molly also have kids with these names.
Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shepherd | Shepherd | English |
- Share Your Thoughts
7 Comments
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Jeff Watts
I have a Rodesein Ridgback, name, Molly ( Star of the sea), she is the most gentle dog you could whish for, very protective of me.A little child who with her mum goes to the same park we use, I was told her name is Molly, now my Molly hase a firm friend, her little face lit up when I told her the meaning of Molly..I have a beautiful dog, she has a beautiful friend, they both have a beautiful Name.
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Molly
Am Molly in my country if I tell People my name the first thing they say is that’s a dog’s name some would say that’s a drug. But coming to understand the name Molly, Molly carries a beautiful mean. I wish people would get to know the meaning of my beautiful name
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Molly copelan
My name is Molly. My Mother must have named me after Molly Pitcher. We have roots in Carlisle, PE
. During WW Ii we lived right next to the graveyard where she is buried. I liked my name until everyone started naming their dog Molly. Even L.L. Bean had a dog bed in their catalog with”Molly” embroidered on it.Reply
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Molly
Molly is an ok name to have, not super popular so you only meet the occasional person with the same name. Often gets misheard as Holly or Milly. My biggest complaint is it feels like a little girls name and an old lady name at the same time. Not sure what a middle aged Molly looks like, perhaps consider pairing with a more mature middle name.
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Molly
Forgot to say in the last post: You know that reflex some people have to call their teacher ‘mommy’? Molly and mommy are similar and people have said it on accident. So. Awkward.
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Heather
Molly is such a bootiful name and i wuv it and i call my little chunk moll moll
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Stephanie
We loved the name Molly because it is a classic name, but not super common right now. Everyone knows how to spell and pronounce it. It means “of the sea” which at first I did not really care for, but she was born at home in the water so then it seemed so fitting!
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