Molly Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Molly Name Meaning

Fact: Known as the “Unsinkable Molly Brown,” she was a Titanic survivor and an activist for women’s rights and social causes​.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Molly Overview

Meaning

Sea of bitterness, bitter, star of the sea, beloved, wished for a child

Gender

Girl

Origin

Irish, Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the medieval diminutive of “Mary,” originating from the Hebrew name “Miriam.”

Pronunciation

/ˈmɒl.i/

Popularity

Molly is cherished in the UK, Ireland, and the USA. In 2023, Molly ranked #168 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Classic, Popular, Vintage

Associated Traits

Sweet, lively, charming

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with Saint Mary, carrying connotations of purity and devotion.

Name Day

September 12 (Sweden)
A Deep Dive

Molly Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Molly, Molli, Molle, Malkin

Common Nicknames

Mollie, Moya, Polly

Diminutives

Moll, Molls, Mo, Mols

Famous People

  • Molly Ringwald
    (American Actress)
  • Molly Shannon
    (American Comedian and Actress)
  • Molly Ephraim
    (American Actress)
  • Molly Parker
    (Canadian Actress)
  • Molly Sims
    (American Model and Actress)
  • Molly Huddle
    (American Athlete)
  • Molly Picon
    (American Actress)
  • Molly Ivins
    (American Journalist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Molly Weasley
    ("Harry Potter," Novel Series)
  • "Molly's Game"
    (Film)
  • Molly Jensen
    ("Ghost," Film)
  • Molly Ringwald
    ("The Breakfast Club," Film)
  • "Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism"
    (Novel)
  • Molly Hooper
    ("Sherlock," TV Series)
  • "Good Golly Miss Molly"
    (Song by Little Richard)
  • Molly Brown
    ("Titanic," Film)

Places

  • Molly Stark State Park
    (Vermont, USA)
  • Molly Island
    (Montana, USA)
  • Molly Hill
    (South Carolina, USA)
  • Molly’s Nipple
    (Utah, USA)
  • Mollymook Beach
    (New South Wales, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Molly?

Molly conveys the essence of “bitter” or “rebellious.” Individuals with this name often exhibit a spirited and lively personality, bringing joy and energy to their surroundings.

What Is the Origin of The Name Molly?

The name Molly is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means “bitter” or “beloved.” It became popular as a diminutive form of Mary in English-speaking countries and has been widely used since the Middle Ages.

Molly Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Molly in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1862021#1992022#2082023
Top 3 Rankings#741991#782011#801990

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Molly

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023208
(-9 from 2022)
1430
(-51 from 2022)
0.08175
2022199
(-13 from 2021)
1481
(-100 from 2021)
0.08260
2021186
(-12 from 2020)
1581
(-62 from 2020)
0.08825
2020174
(-13 from 2019)
1643
(-114 from 2019)
0.09295
2019161
(-4 from 2018)
1757
(-42 from 2018)
0.09576
2018157
(+9 from 2017)
1799
(-30 from 2017)
0.09674
2017166
(-9 from 2016)
1829
(-155 from 2016)
0.09682
2016157
(-13 from 2015)
1984
(-270 from 2015)
0.10249
2015144
(-22 from 2014)
2254
(-351 from 2014)
0.11554
2014122
(-20 from 2013)
2605
(-479 from 2013)
0.13316
2013102
(-12 from 2012)
3084
(-176 from 2012)
0.15999
201290
(-12 from 2011)
3260
(-355 from 2011)
0.16809
201178
(+9 from 2010)
3615
(+253 from 2010)
0.18656
201087
(+5 from 2009)
3362
(-147 from 2009)
0.17147
200992
(+12 from 2008)
3509
(+188 from 2008)
0.17328
2008104
(-7 from 2007)
3321
(-94 from 2007)
0.15944
200797
(+8 from 2006)
3415
(+289 from 2006)
0.16135
2006105
(-8 from 2005)
3126
(-89 from 2005)
0.14953
200597
No change from 2004
3215
(-129 from 2004)
0.15841
200497
(+2 from 2003)
3344
(-59 from 2003)
0.16572
200399
(+8 from 2002)
3403
(+284 from 2002)
0.16960
2002107
(-17 from 2001)
3119
(-295 from 2001)
0.15792
200190
(+6 from 2000)
3414
(+15 from 2000)
0.17234
200096
(+6 from 1999)
3399
(+75 from 1999)
0.17031
1999102
(+6 from 1998)
3324
(+134 from 1998)
0.17074
1998108
(-10 from 1997)
3190
(-259 from 1997)
0.16456
199798
(+1 from 1996)
3449
(+138 from 1996)
0.18065
199699
(-1 from 1995)
3311
(-71 from 1995)
0.17270
199598
(-2 from 1994)
3382
(-58 from 1994)
0.17600
199496
(-9 from 1993)
3440
(-268 from 1993)
0.17647
199387
(-4 from 1992)
3708
(-429 from 1992)
0.18808
199283
(-9 from 1991)
4137
(-515 from 1991)
0.20637
199174
(+6 from 1990)
4652
(+686 from 1990)
0.22878
199080
(+13 from 1989)
3966
(+508 from 1989)
0.19305
198993
(-7 from 1988)
3458
(-3 from 1988)
0.17358
198886
(+11 from 1987)
3461
(+570 from 1987)
0.17997
198797
(+13 from 1986)
2891
(+343 from 1986)
0.15425
1986110
(+9 from 1985)
2548
(+115 from 1985)
0.13807
1985119
(+12 from 1984)
2433
(+255 from 1984)
0.13178
1984131
(-2 from 1983)
2178
(-133 from 1983)
0.12078
1983129
(+2 from 1982)
2311
(-6 from 1982)
0.12913
1982131
(+4 from 1981)
2317
(+228 from 1981)
0.12771
1981135
(-2 from 1980)
2089
(-114 from 1980)
0.11680
1980133
(+6 from 1979)
2203
(+180 from 1979)
0.12372
1979139
(+3 from 1978)
2023
(+91 from 1978)
0.11739
1978142
(-1 from 1977)
1932
(-135 from 1977)
0.11753
1977141
(+9 from 1976)
2067
(+338 from 1976)
0.12565
1976150
(+20 from 1975)
1729
(+181 from 1975)
0.10999
1975170
(+9 from 1974)
1548
(+68 from 1974)
0.09918
1974179
(+16 from 1973)
1480
(+152 from 1973)
0.09449
1973195
(+31 from 1972)
1328
(+94 from 1972)
0.08545
1972226
(+22 from 1971)
1234
(+49 from 1971)
0.07652
1971248
(+10 from 1970)
1185
(-7 from 1970)
0.06761
1970258
(+7 from 1969)
1192
(+99 from 1969)
0.06507
1969265
No change from 1968
1093
(+73 from 1968)
0.06201
1968265
No change from 1967
1020
(+4 from 1967)
0.05966
1967265
No change from 1966
1016
(+32 from 1966)
0.05918
1966265
(-1 from 1965)
984
(-78 from 1965)
0.05604
1965264
(+26 from 1964)
1062
(+60 from 1964)
0.05811
1964290
(+30 from 1963)
1002
(+142 from 1963)
0.05119
1963320
(+7 from 1962)
860
(+39 from 1962)
0.04326
1962327
(+10 from 1961)
821
(+41 from 1961)
0.04051
1961337
(+24 from 1960)
780
(+52 from 1960)
0.03755
1960361
(-17 from 1959)
728
(-35 from 1959)
0.03500
1959344
(-1 from 1958)
763
(+18 from 1958)
0.03671
1958343
(-2 from 1957)
745
(+46 from 1957)
0.03606
1957341
(+2 from 1956)
699
(+45 from 1956)
0.03332
1956343
(+1 from 1955)
654
(+32 from 1955)
0.03175
1955344
(+8 from 1954)
622
(+23 from 1954)
0.03102
1954352
(-6 from 1953)
599
(+17 from 1953)
0.03009
1953346
(-14 from 1952)
582
(-35 from 1952)
0.03016
1952332
(-12 from 1951)
617
(+5 from 1951)
0.03244
1951320
(+4 from 1950)
612
(+48 from 1950)
0.03313
1950324
(+4 from 1949)
564
(+8 from 1949)
0.03207
1949328
(+3 from 1948)
556
(-6 from 1948)
0.03167
1948331
(+35 from 1947)
562
(+78 from 1947)
0.03225
1947366
(+4 from 1946)
484
(+69 from 1946)
0.02662
1946370
(+17 from 1945)
415
(+82 from 1945)
0.02573
1945387
(-20 from 1944)
333
(-33 from 1944)
0.02474
1944367
(-1 from 1943)
366
(-20 from 1943)
0.02678
1943366
(-4 from 1942)
386
(+11 from 1942)
0.02689
1942362
(+1 from 1941)
375
(+36 from 1941)
0.02697
1941363
(-15 from 1940)
339
(-7 from 1940)
0.02721
1940348
(-8 from 1939)
346
(-2 from 1939)
0.02929
1939340
(+19 from 1938)
348
(+20 from 1938)
0.03069
1938359
(+10 from 1937)
328
(+22 from 1937)
0.02874
1937369
(-13 from 1936)
306
(-10 from 1936)
0.02777
1936356
(+7 from 1935)
316
(+15 from 1935)
0.02933
1935363
(+5 from 1934)
301
(+9 from 1934)
0.02770
1934368
(+24 from 1933)
292
(+20 from 1933)
0.02698
1933392
(-30 from 1932)
272
(-42 from 1932)
0.02600
1932362
(+8 from 1931)
314
(+14 from 1931)
0.02838
1931370
(-8 from 1930)
300
(-42 from 1930)
0.02718
1930362
(+13 from 1929)
342
(+22 from 1929)
0.02932
1929375
(+6 from 1928)
320
(+5 from 1928)
0.02764
1928381
(+49 from 1927)
315
(+57 from 1927)
0.02635
1927430
(+3 from 1926)
258
(+3 from 1926)
0.02087
1926433
(+10 from 1925)
255
(+14 from 1925)
0.02073
1925443
(-39 from 1924)
241
(-49 from 1924)
0.01908
1924404
(-17 from 1923)
290
(-3 from 1923)
0.02238
1923387
(+9 from 1922)
293
(+16 from 1922)
0.02339
1922396
(-12 from 1921)
277
(-25 from 1921)
0.02220
1921384
(+43 from 1920)
302
(+56 from 1920)
0.02360
1920427
(-27 from 1919)
246
(-12 from 1919)
0.01977
1919400
(-26 from 1918)
258
(-48 from 1918)
0.02196
1918374
(-18 from 1917)
306
(-4 from 1917)
0.02545
1917356
(-20 from 1916)
310
(-23 from 1916)
0.02759
1916336
(-5 from 1915)
333
(+8 from 1915)
0.03067
1915331
(+5 from 1914)
325
(+78 from 1914)
0.03174
1914336
(+9 from 1913)
247
(+50 from 1913)
0.03101
1913345
(-22 from 1912)
197
No change from 1912
0.03008
1912323
(+30 from 1911)
197
(+68 from 1911)
0.03358
1911353
(-37 from 1910)
129
(-16 from 1910)
0.02920
1910316
(+27 from 1909)
145
(+36 from 1909)
0.03456
1909343
(+15 from 1908)
109
(+8 from 1908)
0.02961
1908358
(-34 from 1907)
101
(-12 from 1907)
0.02849
1907324
(+38 from 1906)
113
(+27 from 1906)
0.03349
1906362
(+39 from 1905)
86
(+15 from 1905)
0.02744
1905401
(-9 from 1904)
71
(-1 from 1904)
0.02291
1904392
(-22 from 1903)
72
(-3 from 1903)
0.02462
1903370
(+50 from 1902)
75
(+21 from 1902)
0.02696
1902420
(-23 from 1901)
54
(-1 from 1901)
0.01926
1901397
(+10 from 1900)
55
(-12 from 1900)
0.02163
1900407
(+17 from 1899)
67
(+20 from 1899)
0.02109
1899424
(+67 from 1898)
47
(+8 from 1898)
0.01899
1898491
(-77 from 1897)
39
(-11 from 1897)
0.01423
1897414
(-5 from 1896)
50
(+1 from 1896)
0.02014
1896409
(+12 from 1895)
49
(+4 from 1895)
0.01944
1895421
(+42 from 1894)
45
(+9 from 1894)
0.01821
1894463
(-110 from 1893)
36
(-22 from 1893)
0.01526
1893353
(+20 from 1892)
58
(+7 from 1892)
0.02575
1892373
(+67 from 1891)
51
(+18 from 1891)
0.02268
1891440
(-71 from 1890)
33
(-13 from 1890)
0.01679
1890369
(+41 from 1889)
46
(+11 from 1889)
0.02281
1889410
(-7 from 1888)
35
(-2 from 1888)
0.01850
1888403
(-25 from 1887)
37
(+5 from 1887)
0.01953
1887378
(+22 from 1886)
32
(+3 from 1886)
0.02059
1886400
(-27 from 1885)
29
(-1 from 1885)
0.01886
1885373
(-24 from 1884)
30
(-2 from 1884)
0.02113
1884349
(-25 from 1883)
32
(+2 from 1883)
0.02326
1883324
(-1 from 1882)
30
No change from 1882
0.02499
1882323
(-46 from 1881)
30
(-3 from 1881)
0.02593
1881277
(+111 from 1880)
33
(+15 from 1880)
0.03338
1880388
First SSA data recorded
18
First SSA data recorded
0.01844

American States Popularity Rankings for Molly

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3752021#5102022#4372023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1372021#1762022#1632023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1342021#1742022#1672023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1232021#1092022#1212023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3382021#3402022#3262023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1232021#1312022#1322023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1522021#1692022#1302023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1642021#1252022#2012023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#782021#782022#1612023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1182021#1432022#1982023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1372021#1782022#2092023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1582021#2042022#1782023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2062021#2202022#2002023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3662021#3452022#4542023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1882021#2142022#2332023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3442021#4062022#2472023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1712021#1772022#2212023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1532021#1402022#1282023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2292021#2332022#1662023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1722021#2002022#2102023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2292021#2122022#2562023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2722021#1792022#2002023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1502021#1582022#1652023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3542021#2562022#2202023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#822021#1792022#1222023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1532021#2092022#2212023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2072021#2142022#1372023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2292021#2212022#2102023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3062021#5832022#4672023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2732021#2942022#1762023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2682021#1772022#2692023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2412021#1722022#1902023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1312021#1522022#1712023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1122021#992022#1542023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1252021#982022#1922023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2782021#5402022#3252023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1412021#1302022#1202023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1872020#3082022#3452023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2662021#1702022#1462023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3912019#3812020#3142021

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1392021#1792022#1872023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2612018#1482020#2462023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1522021#1672022#1242023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1042020#1062022#742023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2462021#1332022#2202023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#932019#1432020#1622021

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#832018#1592021#1642022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3162020#3732021#4812022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1672020#2122021#1982023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#552018#482020#932022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2302012#2232014#2412018

Popularity Rankings for Molly in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#182021#222022#222023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#212021#272022#272023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#292021#282022#362023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#372021#622022#562023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#412021#442022#41First half of 2023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#572019#542020#732021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1072021#912022#692023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#962016#832020#1002021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1442021#2112022#1582023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1952021#1822022#2342023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4392020#4052021#6012022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4372017#4492018#4192019

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#9532011#8122013#8232015

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Molly a Name for Boys or Girls?

In contemporary naming trends, Molly is almost exclusively used for girls, owing to its history and cultural representation as a feminine name.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Molly

Molly in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Molly Ringwald (Actress, born 1968): An American actress who became a teen icon with her roles in 1980s films like "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles."
  • Molly Shannon (Comedian, born 1964): An American comedian and actress famous for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and numerous comedy films.
  • Molly Ephraim (Actress, born 1986): An American actress known for her roles in TV series such as "Last Man Standing" and Broadway productions.
  • Molly Parker (Actress, born 1972): A Canadian actress recognized for her performances in "House of Cards" and "Deadwood."
  • Molly Sims (Model, born 1973): An American model and actress who has appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and starred in "Las Vegas."
  • Molly Huddle (Athlete, born 1984): An American long-distance runner who has set multiple American records in track and road racing.
  • Molly Picon (Actress, 1898–1992): An American actress of the Yiddish theater who had a prolific career in stage, film, and television.
  • Molly Ivins (Journalist, 1944–2007): An American newspaper columnist, political commentator, and author known for her sharp wit.
  • Molly Weasley ("Harry Potter," 1997 Novel Series): The matriarch of the Weasley family, known for her kindness and fierce protective nature.
  • "Molly's Game" (2017 Film): Follows the true story of Molly Bloom, who ran high-stakes poker games and became an FBI target.
  • Molly Jensen ("Ghost," 1990 Film): A young woman dealing with the murder of her boyfriend and his attempts to communicate with her from beyond the grave.
  • Molly Ringwald ("The Breakfast Club," 1985 Film): Portrays Claire Standish, a popular girl dealing with her own struggles during detention.
  • "Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism" (2002 Novel): Chronicles the adventures of an orphan girl named Molly Moon who discovers a book on hypnotism.
  • Molly Hooper ("Sherlock," 2010 TV Series): A pathologist at St. Bart's Hospital who has unrequited feelings for Sherlock Holmes.
  • "Good Golly Miss Molly" (1956 Song): A classic rock and roll song by Little Richard celebrating a fun and carefree girl named Molly.
  • Molly Brown ("Titanic," 1997 Film): A real-life socialite who became known as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" after surviving the Titanic disaster.
  • Molly Stark State Park (Vermont, USA): A state park located in southern Vermont offering hiking trails and camping facilities.
  • Molly Island (Montana, USA): A small island located in Yellowstone Lake within Yellowstone National Park.
  • Molly Creek (New South Wales, Australia): A creek located in the southeastern region of New South Wales.
  • Molly Hill (South Carolina, USA): A hill located in Richland County.
  • Molly’s Nipple (Utah, USA): A peak in the Virgin River Gorge known for its distinctive shape.
  • Mollymook Beach (New South Wales, Australia): A beach in the coastal town of Mollymook, famous for its surf and scenic views.
  • Molly Springs (Western Australia, Australia): A freshwater spring located near Kununurra, popular for swimming.
  • Molly Brown House (Colorado, USA): A museum in Denver dedicated to the life of Margaret "Molly" Brown, a survivor of the Titanic.

Similar Names to Molly

Sibling Names for Molly