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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Pet form of Mary (Hebrew, probably 'beloved' or 'bitter'); sometimes also of Margaret
- Origin
- English
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- MAH-lee
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
MAH-leeIPA /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.
Names Like Molly
These names share Molly’s style, era or origin.
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.)
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.
📊 How popular is Molly? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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