Molly
A girls’ name of Hebrew origin, meaning beloved; a diminutive of Mary.
How Molly has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #144 |
| 2016 | #157 |
| 2017 | #166 |
| 2018 | #158 |
| 2019 | #161 |
| 2020 | #174 |
| 2021 | #186 |
| 2022 | #199 |
| 2023 | #208 |
| 2024 | #208 |
| 2025 | #196 |
Molly by the numbers
In 2025, 405 babies in England and Wales were named Molly. In the US, 1,819 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 4,651 babies in 1991, making it a 1990s name.
At its height, in 1990, about 1 in 520 American girls born that year was called Molly.
Other names that come from Mary
Like Molly, each of these traces back to Mary: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Mariaof the sea; a form of Mary522 in England and Wales (2025)
- Maliacalm, peaceful; hawaiian form of Mary1,416 in the US (2017)
- Marilynbeloved by god; a form of Mary580 in the US (2017)
- Mariamof the sea; beloved; form of Mary179 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marieof the sea; beloved; form of Mary453 in the US (2017)
- Maeof the sea; a form of May or Mary108 in England and Wales (2025)
- Pollystar; a diminutive of Polly from Mary242 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marionof the sea; a form of Mary216 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Molly. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Millymerciful; a diminutive of Millicent46 in England and Wales (2025)
- Mollisea of sorrow; variant spelling of Molly15 in the US (2017)
- Molliestar; diminutive of Mary or Molly192 in England and Wales (2025)
- Malkymy king; diminutive or variant of Malachi21 in England and Wales (2025)
- Millathousand; a form of Camilla or Millicent65 in the US (2017)
- Marlypleasant lake or fen clearing; a variant of Marley44 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Molly
Names that are said the same way as Molly, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Moli4 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean love
Like Molly, each of these has love in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Milagracious, dear1,014 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marystar of the sea; beloved2,381 in the US (2017)
- Rosethe rose flower; symbol of love666 in England and Wales (2025)
- Freyalady; goddess of love1,802 in England and Wales (2025)
- Amybeloved1,724 in the US (2017)
- Mabellovable1,527 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Molly
Nobody has voted for Molly yet
Vote for Molly and put it up against all the other baby names
Vote for Molly