Girl · 100th of 35,406
Molly
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
174,877
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1991
Peak Popularity Year
4,663
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Molly stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Molly is a diminutive of Mary with Hebrew roots meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'rebelliousness'. The name has evolved from Miriam to Mary, then to Moll, and finally to Molly. It gained popularity in the 16th century and is seen as friendly and charming today. There is no direct biblical relevance, and it remains widely used in various cultures.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɒli/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Molly is often considered a diminutive form of the name Mary, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'rebelliousness'. It may also be connected to the Hebrew name Miriam.
Meaning
sea of bitterness, rebelliousness
Language Evolution
Miriam, Mary, Moll, Molly
Historical Usage
The name Molly gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 16th century, often used in literature and as a term of endearment.
Variants & Derivatives
Moll, Mollie, Mary
Modern Popularity & Image
Molly is currently perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and charm.
Famous People
Molly Ringwald, Molly Shannon, Molly Weasley
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,663 peak births in 1991
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4832nd of 10718 | 72 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4234th of 16616 | 186 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9358th of 24088 | 97 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 380th of 9107 | 5,345 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 379th of 9204 | 5,899 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 345th of 12526 | 12,665 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 208th of 19264 | 23,097 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 101st of 27321 | 50,285 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 100th of 35406 | 53,477 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 151st of 30306 | 22,922 |