Molly Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationMOL-ee / /ˈmɒli/English; Irish
Meaning
English: Sea of bitterness; Irish: Star of the sea
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Molly is of English origin, deriving from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." The name Miriam was adapted into Greek as Maria, which then transitioned into Latin as Maria as well. In the medieval period, the name Maria became popular in various forms across Europe, including the diminutive form Molly, which emerged in England during the 15th century. This diminutive form reflects a common linguistic practice of creating affectionate or familiar versions of names, particularly for women and children.
Historically, the name Molly gained prominence through various cultural and literary references. One notable touchpoint is the character Molly Bloom from James Joyce's modernist novel "Ulysses," published in 1922, which has contributed to the name's literary resonance. Additionally, the name appears in various folk songs and nursery rhymes, reinforcing its presence in English-speaking culture. In the 18th century, Molly was also used as a term for a woman of loose morals, reflecting the complex social attitudes towards women during that era.
Culturally, Molly has been associated with warmth and familiarity, often used as a term of endearment. The name has maintained a sense of charm and approachability, which has allowed it to endure through centuries. Variants and related forms, such as Molle or Moll, have also appeared in literature and folklore, further enriching the name's historical tapestry. Overall, Molly embodies a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, making it a name with deep historical roots.
Trend Summary
Molly has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Mollie
- Moll
International Variants
- Mali (Finnish)
- Mollie (English)
Famous people named Molly
Molly Ringwald is an actress best known for The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Sixteen Candles.
Molly Shannon is an actress and comedian best known for Saturday Night Live, Superstar, and Other People.
Molly Hagan is an actress best known for The Nanny, The Mindy Project, and The Last Man on Earth.
Molly Parker is an actress best known for Deadwood, House of Cards, and The Road.
Molly Sims is a model and actress best known for Las Vegas, The Benchwarmers, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.
Molly McNearney is a writer best known for Jimmy Kimmel Live! and her work on various comedy projects.
Fictional characters named Molly
Molly Weasley is a fictional character from the book series Harry Potter. She is the matriarch of the Weasley family and plays a crucial role in supporting Harry and his friends throughout their adventures.
Molly Hooper is a fictional character from the TV series Sherlock. She is a pathologist who has a close relationship with Sherlock Holmes and often assists him in his investigations.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Molly was first seen in the United States in 1880. Molly has ranked as high as #151 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Molly has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Molly (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
NY | 106 | |
TX | 97 | |
PA | 87 | |
CA | 77 | |
OH | 71 | |
NJ | 66 | |
NC | 60 | |
IL | 56 | |
MA | 54 | |
WI | 44 | |
FL | 43 | |
MO | 41 | |
GA | 41 | |
UT | 34 | |
VA | 34 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 18 |
1881 | 33 |
1882 | 30 |
1883 | 30 |
1884 | 32 |
1885 | 30 |
1886 | 29 |
1887 | 32 |
1888 | 37 |
1889 | 35 |
1890 | 46 |
1891 | 33 |
1892 | 51 |
1893 | 58 |
1894 | 36 |
1895 | 45 |
1896 | 49 |
1897 | 50 |
1898 | 39 |
1899 | 47 |
1900 | 67 |
1901 | 55 |
1902 | 54 |
1903 | 75 |
1904 | 72 |
1905 | 71 |
1906 | 86 |
1907 | 113 |
1908 | 101 |
1909 | 109 |
1910 | 145 |
1911 | 129 |
1912 | 197 |
1913 | 197 |
1914 | 247 |
1915 | 325 |
1916 | 333 |
1917 | 310 |
1918 | 306 |
1919 | 258 |
1920 | 246 |
1921 | 302 |
1922 | 277 |
1923 | 293 |
1924 | 290 |
1925 | 241 |
1926 | 255 |
1927 | 258 |
1928 | 315 |
1929 | 320 |
1930 | 342 |
1931 | 300 |
1932 | 315 |
1933 | 271 |
1934 | 292 |
1935 | 301 |
1936 | 316 |
1937 | 306 |
1938 | 329 |
1939 | 348 |
1940 | 345 |
1941 | 339 |
1942 | 375 |
1943 | 386 |
1944 | 366 |
1945 | 333 |
1946 | 415 |
1947 | 484 |
1948 | 562 |
1949 | 556 |
1950 | 564 |
1951 | 612 |
1952 | 617 |
1953 | 582 |
1954 | 599 |
1955 | 622 |
1956 | 654 |
1957 | 699 |
1958 | 745 |
1959 | 763 |
1960 | 727 |
1961 | 781 |
1962 | 821 |
1963 | 860 |
1964 | 1,002 |
1965 | 1,062 |
1966 | 984 |
1967 | 1,016 |
1968 | 1,020 |
1969 | 1,093 |
1970 | 1,192 |
1971 | 1,185 |
1972 | 1,234 |
1973 | 1,329 |
1974 | 1,480 |
1975 | 1,548 |
1976 | 1,729 |
1977 | 2,067 |
1978 | 1,932 |
1979 | 2,023 |
1980 | 2,203 |
1981 | 2,089 |
1982 | 2,317 |
1983 | 2,311 |
1984 | 2,178 |
1985 | 2,433 |
1986 | 2,548 |
1987 | 2,891 |
1988 | 3,461 |
1989 | 3,459 |
1990 | 3,965 |
1991 | 4,652 |
1992 | 4,138 |
1993 | 3,708 |
1994 | 3,441 |
1995 | 3,382 |
1996 | 3,312 |
1997 | 3,452 |
1998 | 3,192 |
1999 | 3,326 |
2000 | 3,401 |
2001 | 3,415 |
2002 | 3,119 |
2003 | 3,403 |
2004 | 3,344 |
2005 | 3,215 |
2006 | 3,127 |
2007 | 3,415 |
2008 | 3,321 |
2009 | 3,510 |
2010 | 3,362 |
2011 | 3,615 |
2012 | 3,260 |
2013 | 3,084 |
2014 | 2,605 |
2015 | 2,254 |
2016 | 1,985 |
2017 | 1,829 |
2018 | 1,799 |
2019 | 1,757 |
2020 | 1,644 |
2021 | 1,582 |
2022 | 1,481 |
2023 | 1,437 |
2024 | 1,465 |