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Molly Girl

Popularity: #196 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
NY 106
8%
TX 97
7%
PA 87
6%
CA 77
6%
OH 71
5%
NJ 66
5%
NC 60
4%
IL 56
4%
MA 54
4%
WI 44
3%
FL 43
3%
MO 41
3%
GA 41
3%
UT 34
2%
VA 34
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188018
188133
188230
188330
188432
188530
188629
188732
188837
188935
189046
189133
189251
189358
189436
189545
189649
189750
189839
189947
190067
190155
190254
190375
190472
190571
190686
1907113
1908101
1909109
1910145
1911129
1912197
1913197
1914247
1915325
1916333
1917310
1918306
1919258
1920246
1921302
1922277
1923293
1924290
1925241
1926255
1927258
1928315
1929320
1930342
1931300
1932315
1933271
1934292
1935301
1936316
1937306
1938329
1939348
1940345
1941339
1942375
1943386
1944366
1945333
1946415
1947484
1948562
1949556
1950564
1951612
1952617
1953582
1954599
1955622
1956654
1957699
1958745
1959763
1960727
1961781
1962821
1963860
19641,002
19651,062
1966984
19671,016
19681,020
19691,093
19701,192
19711,185
19721,234
19731,329
19741,480
19751,548
19761,729
19772,067
19781,932
19792,023
19802,203
19812,089
19822,317
19832,311
19842,178
19852,433
19862,548
19872,891
19883,461
19893,459
19903,965
19914,652
19924,138
19933,708
19943,441
19953,382
19963,312
19973,452
19983,192
19993,326
20003,401
20013,415
20023,119
20033,403
20043,344
20053,215
20063,127
20073,415
20083,321
20093,510
20103,362
20113,615
20123,260
20133,084
20142,605
20152,254
20161,985
20171,829
20181,799
20191,757
20201,644
20211,582
20221,481
20231,437
20241,465