Motley
Gender: Unisex
Meaning: Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea
Origin: English/Irish
Popularity: Ranked #7061 in 2025 with 12 babies born.
History: A variant or related form of Molly. Shares the meaning 'Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea.'
Similar names: mollee, molli, mollie, molly, motty, montel, montell, montee
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Motley? About 1 in 138,688 babies born in 2025 were named Motley, or roughly 0.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Motley
What does the name Motley mean?
Motley means “Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea” from English/Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Motley?
Motley has English/Irish origin. The traditional meaning is “Bitter, wished-for child, star of the sea”.
How popular is Motley?
Motley ranked #6803 in 2025 — given to 12 babies that year.
When was Motley most popular?
Motley peaked in 2022 with 42 babies registered that year.
Is Motley a boy or girl name?
Motley is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 60% of Motleys are boys and 40% are girls.
Is the name Motley rising or falling in popularity?
Motley has risen 3179 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #9982 in 2020 to #6803 in 2025.
How long has Motley been recorded?
Motley appears in birth records across 9 years — from 2010 through 2025.