Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mollie is an English diminutive of Mary, which has Hebrew origins and means 'of the sea' or 'bitter'. The name has evolved through various forms such as Miriam and Maria before becoming popular in its current form in the 19th century. Mollie is often seen as a friendly name without direct biblical relevance but related to the biblical figure Mary. Today, it is viewed positively and is associated with warmth and kindness, with notable individuals bearing the name.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɒli/
Origin
English
Etymology
Mollie is a diminutive form of the name Mary, which has roots in Hebrew. The name Mary itself is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which is thought to mean 'sea of bitterness' or 'rebelliousness'.
Meaning
of the sea; bitter
Language Evolution
Miriam, Maria, Mary, Moll
Biblical Background
Mollie does not have a direct biblical reference, but it is derived from Mary, who is a prominent figure in the Bible.
Historical Usage
Mollie gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, especially in English-speaking countries as a charming and affectionate form of Mary.
Variants & Derivatives
Molly, Moll, Mary
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Mollie is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and kindness. It has remained a popular choice for girls in recent years.
Famous People
Mollie King - British singer and member of The Saturdays, Mollie Hemingway - American conservative author and commentator
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 738 peak births in 1915
Geographic Spread
Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (7 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 7 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5216th of 7545 | 27 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5699th of 6773 | 13 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 250th of 9107 | 12,588 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 421st of 9204 | 4,878 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 698th of 12526 | 3,671 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 747th of 19264 | 3,144 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 540th of 27321 | 6,602 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 677th of 35406 | 6,543 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1053rd of 30306 | 3,007 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
27.75% 393rd/1416 |
14.94% 206th/1379 |
9.30% 220th/2366 |
27.67% 316th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
40.62% 628th/1546 |
33.10% 515th/1556 |
13.43% 316th/2353 |
33.55% 519th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
36.87% 821st/2227 |
38.27% 930th/2430 |
18.37% 524th/2853 |
26.92% 747th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
20.97% 616th/2937 |
27.71% 965th/3483 |
21.12% 743rd/3518 |
22.97% 929th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
10.69% 394th/3685 |
12.09% 541st/4475 |
9.97% 518th/5194 |
11.84% 748th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
12.11% 555th/4582 |
13.34% 689th/5164 |
7.93% 580th/7313 |
14.66% 1094th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
24.22% 965th/3984 |
23.82% 1069th/4487 |
13.03% 889th/6822 |
24.78% 1555th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Kentucky across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5216th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5699th out of 6773 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 250th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 421st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 698th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 747th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 540th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 677th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1053rd out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.