Molly
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea
Origin: English/Irish
Popularity: Ranked #196 in 2025 with 1,601 babies born.
History: A medieval diminutive of Mary. 'Molly Malone' is Dublin's most famous folk song. The character Molly Weasley in Harry Potter and the song 'Good Golly, Miss Molly' are cultural references. It has been popular for centuries.
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Molly? About 1 in 2,079 babies born in 2025 were named Molly, or roughly 4.4 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Molly
What does the name Molly mean?
Molly means “Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea” from English/Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Molly?
Molly has English/Irish origin. The traditional meaning is “Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea”.
How popular is Molly?
Molly ranked #196 in 2025 — given to 1,601 babies that year.
When was Molly most popular?
Molly peaked in 1991 with 4,652 babies registered that year.
Is Molly a boy or girl name?
Molly is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Mollys in registered births are female.
Is the name Molly rising or falling in popularity?
Molly has fallen 23 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #173 in 2020 to #196 in 2025.
How long has Molly been recorded?
Molly appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.