Molly

At a Glance: Name: Molly – Meaning: pet form of Mary (Hebrew, probably 'beloved' or 'bitter'); sometimes also of Margaret – Origin: English – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: MAH-lee

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Molly is an English name, a pet form of Mary, which comes from Hebrew and probably means 'beloved' or 'bitter.' It is sometimes used as a short form of Margaret too. Pronounced MAH-lee, it has a classic, vintage feel that has stayed friendly and familiar.

Meaning & Origin of Molly

Meaning: Pet form of Mary (Hebrew, probably 'beloved' or 'bitter'); sometimes also of Margaret.

Origin: English.

How to Pronounce Molly

Phonetic: MAH-lee   IPA: /ˈmɑːli/

Popularity of Molly

Molly peaked at #74 in 1991, when 4,652 girls were given the name, and by 2024 it ranked #208 with 1,465 girls. It has settled well below its peak but is still a name families choose.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Molly Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Molly, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Annie
• Hallie
• Lilly
• Maggie
• Marilyn
• Maxine

FAQ

What does the name Molly mean?

Pet form of Mary (Hebrew, probably ‘beloved’ or ‘bitter’); sometimes also of Margaret.

How do you pronounce Molly?

Molly is pronounced MAH-lee (IPA: /ˈmɑːli/).

Is Molly a popular name right now?

Molly peaked at #74 in 1991 and is ranked #208 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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