Declining since 1991, #196 for girls today.
Popularity of Molly since 1880
Babies named Molly per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 306 |
| 1890s | 454 |
| 1900s | 803 |
| 1910s | 2,447 |
| 1920s | 2,797 |
| 1930s | 3,119 |
| 1940s | 4,161 |
| 1950s | 6,458 |
| 1960s | 9,364 |
| 1970s | 15,715 |
| 1980s | 25,891 |
| 1990s | 36,567 |
| 2000s | 33,271 |
| 2010s | 25,553 |
| 2020s | 9,221 |
Meaning & origin
Molly is a classic English name that began as a medieval pet form of Mary. It enjoyed a peak in popularity in 1991, ranking among the top names for girls in the United States. Since then, its usage has gradually declined, and in 2025 it ranked 196th, with about 1 in every 1,004 baby girls receiving the name. Molly has been particularly favored in states like Vermont, North Dakota, and Maine, reflecting a strong regional affection. The name's friendly and approachable sound, along with its enduring charm, keeps it a steady choice for parents seeking a traditional yet lively name.
Molly originated as a medieval English diminutive of Mary, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Miriam. The spelling variation Mollie is common. By the 18th century, Molly was used as an independent given name, often in the context of folk songs and literature. It gained particular popularity in Ireland as a generic name for a girl or young woman.
Where Molly is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Molly” around the world
Where Molly lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Ireland
#20
in 2025
New Zealand
#79
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mol, Molls
Variants: Mollie
Sibling names for Molly
Names that share Molly's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lucy, Emma, Grace, Lily, Hannah, Allie, Ginger, Holly, Josie, Kelly, Kylie, Lacy, Patsy, Patty, Penny, Sally, Sammie, Winnie, Abbe, Abbi, Bailee, Bess, Betsy, Caleigh, Cari, Carli, Carlie, Dixie, Dodie, Dolly, Dotty, Holli, Hollie, Joanie, Joely, Kalie, Kandy, Karrie, Kary, Katie, Katy, Keeley, Kelley, Kerrie, Kitty, Lacie, Lanie, Macee, Macie, Macy, Marcie, Markie, Maxie, Mickie, Missy, Mitzie, Nelly, Polly, Robbin, Ruthie, Ryley, Shelbie, Tandy, Vicky, Yetta, Anny, Barbie, Bebe, Becca, Becki, Billi, Bunny, Caitlynn, Cally, Camie, Cammy, Candie, Cherri, Chrissy, Collie, Daysi, Deisy, Dori, Dorie, Genny, Haddie, Hali, Jaycie, Jolee, Jozie, Kady, Kally, Kasi, Katey, Kelle, Kimmy, Kittie, Kodie, Lannie, Libbie, Lili, Loree, Madie, Maelynn, Magen, Maisy, Marykate, Meggan, Mel, Mikki, Mindi, Mitzy, Morghan, Penni, Pippa, Pollie, Shenna, Suzi, Suzie, Suzy, Teddi, Tilly, Torie, Torri, Yancy, Bama, Billee, Bonney, Cadie, Calee, Calley, Cammi, Casi, Catie, Chari, Coree, Corley, Curlie, Deisi, Donie, Dory, Eydie, Ginna, Hally, Hollee, Janney, Janny, Jaynie, Jinny, Jocie, Kaly, Kassy, Katty, Katye, Keary, Keilly, Kindle, Konnie, Landy, Lassie, Lyndy, Maddyson, Madi, Maisey, Mame, Marnee, Meggie, Mekenna, Mekenzie, Meloney, Meloni, Mollee, Nollie, Peggi, Pinkey, Pixie, Pollyanna, Rhyann, Rosi, Salli, Shanley, Shelvy, Sonni, Sussie, Susy, Tallie, Tally, Abrie, Allyce, Ambyr, Betsie, Blondie, Casee, Cassi, Caty, Cola, Dally, Darly, Dotti, Erinne, Geni, Hallee, Halli, Hanny, Jamiee, Jammy, Jenie, Jessamy, Joelie, Joley, Jossie, Katti, Kaydi, Kely, Kenzey, Kerie, Krissi, Lainy, Libbi, Linsy, Lolly, Lorely, Ludy, Lyndie, Lynnie, Macaela, Madisun, Magie, Malley, Malloree, Mamye, Mao, Mare, Maryl, Masey, Melondy, Missi, Missie, Nicci, Nolie, Pegge, Sadee, Sadey, Shanah, Shell, Taffy, Tamma, Tessy, Tilley, Yenny, Edye, Trixy, Ammi, Angee, Anie, Becci, Bessy, Betsi, Bridgitt, Bridie, Chellie, Daisee, Darcee, Deicy, Dotsie, Faline, Fergie, Francy, Jem, Jennylee, Jesi, Jimma, Jozy, Jull, Katheen, Ketty, Larie, Lauralie, Libbey, Mackensey, Maday, Makaelah, Makinna, Malonie, Marny, Marri, Meghen, Megon, Michie, Moni, Nansi, Pollyann, Poppie, Sady, Salle, Schelly, Tabby, Taffie, Tippi, Tomma, Winni
Brothers: Jack, Liam, Noah, Samuel, Henry, Andy, Bob, Cary, Clay, Clayton, Dalton, Gage, Jess, Joey, Kerry, Kevin, Patrick, Sam, Sean, Ted, Timmy, Tommy, Will, Barney, Benny, Brock, Bud, Buddy, Butch, Callen, Davey, Eddy, Garfield, Garth, Hal, Hardy, Jarrell, Judd, Kellan, Kenny, Lanny, Lenny, Louie, Monty, Nate, Ned, Perry, Phil, Reed, Richie, Robbie, Rudy, Sammy, Tad, Tedd, Toby, Tod, Wes, Zeke, Chip, Corry, Curley, Franky, Fredy, Geary, Jeb, Joby, Ladd, Laddie, Mackie, Mick, Mikey, Mychal, Odie, Ritchie, Skip, Tadd, Timmie, Tobey, Willy, Bubba, Budd, Daelin, Gery, Jessey, Jetson, Jobie, Keanan, Kerby, Koty, Mackey, Maron, Mat, Mykael, Olie, Pinkney, Rody, Rolly, Shean, Sully, Tollie, Tonny, Cully, Geddy, Gill, Kullen, Larri, Mardy, Markcus, Markey, Mechel, Mickell, Mickle, Mikie, Mithcell, Motty, Nolyn, Paddy, Robi, Seanpatrick, Skippy, Tobby, Bartt, Bengie, Benney, Bubber, Cosby, Cotey, Jery, Jimy, Kinnie, Macky, Marke, Merick, Morrie, Olly, Ralphie, Tommey
Names like Molly
Names whose popularity has moved with Molly's over the last 50 years.
