Molly Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Molly is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Molly?
Molly is spelled M-O-L-L-Y. The name has 5 letters.
Molly at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Molly is a diminutive form of the name Mary, which is commonly associated with meanings such as “beloved” in Hebrew.
- Origin
- Molly has traditionally been used as a diminutive form of Mary, a name with biblical roots in Hebrew tradition.
- Pronunciation
- MOL-ee · 2 syllables
Molly Popularity in 2025
Rank#196
Recorded Births1,601
- Girls usage rose 12 places to #196 and recorded 127 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Molly Mean?
Molly is a diminutive form of the name Mary, which is commonly associated with meanings such as “beloved” in Hebrew.
Origin: Molly has traditionally been used as a diminutive form of Mary, a name with biblical roots in Hebrew tradition.
How Do You Pronounce Molly?
PronunciationMOL-ee
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Molly?
- History
- Molly has been recorded in English usage as a familiar form of Mary since the 16th century and has appeared in various informal contexts and literature.
Molly Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2007 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 1,601 | #196 |
| 2024 | Girls | 1,474 | #208 |
| 2023 | Girls | 1,437 | #209 |
| 2022 | Girls | 1,481 | #199 |
| 2021 | Girls | 1,583 | #186 |
| 2020 | Girls | 1,645 | #173 |
| 2019 | Girls | 1,757 | #161 |
| 2018 | Girls | 1,799 | #157 |
| 2017 | Girls | 1,829 | #166 |
| 2016 | Girls | 1,986 | #157 |
| 2015 | Girls | 2,254 | #144 |
| 2014 | Girls | 2,605 | #122 |
| 2014 | Boys | 5 | #12,108 |
| 2013 | Girls | 3,084 | #102 |
| 2012 | Girls | 3,261 | #90 |
| 2012 | Boys | 9 | #8,158 |
| 2011 | Girls | 3,616 | #78 |
| 2011 | Boys | 7 | #9,600 |
| 2010 | Girls | 3,362 | #87 |
| 2010 | Boys | 7 | #9,693 |
| 2009 | Girls | 3,510 | #92 |
| 2008 | Girls | 3,321 | #104 |
| 2008 | Boys | 5 | #12,553 |
| 2007 | Girls | 3,415 | #97 |
When Was Molly Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1991 · Girls
4,652 recorded births
National rank #74
1992 · Girls
4,137 recorded births
National rank #83
1990 · Girls
3,965 recorded births
National rank #80
1993 · Girls
3,708 recorded births
National rank #87
Where Molly Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| VT | #75 | 5 |
| LA | #95 | 39 |
| MA | #98 | 57 |
| NJ | #111 | 67 |
| CT | #111 | 26 |
| MS | #114 | 20 |
| ME | #116 | 9 |
| ND | #117 | 8 |