Molly (name)

Molly
	A statue of folk song heroine Molly Malone in Dublin, Ireland.
Pronunciation	/ˈmɒli/
Gender	Female
Language(s)	Irish and English
Other names
Alternative spelling	Mollie; Moli;
Nickname(s)	Mols; Mol;
Derived	Mary; Margaret;

Molly (also spelled Molli or Mollie) is a diminutive of the feminine name Mary that, like other English diminutives in use since the Middle Ages, substituted l for r. English surnames such as Moll, Mollett, and Mollison are derived from Molly. Molly has also been used as a diminutive of Margaret and Martha since the 1700s and as an independent name since at least 1720. The name was more popular in the United States than elsewhere in the Anglosphere in the 1800s due to usage by Irish-American families and by Jewish American families who used Molly as an English version of Hebrew names such as Miriam and Malka. Its popularity with Americans was also influenced by stories about Molly Pitcher, a heroine of the American Revolutionary War.^[1]

Usage

The name has been among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States since 1880 and was among the 100 most popular names for American girls at different times between 1987 and 2012. It has been among the 100 most popular names for newborn girls in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom since the 1990s, and in Denmark since 2019. It was among the top 100 names for girls in some Canadian provinces between 2007 and 2011.^[2]

People

Women

Molly Adair (1905–1990), English actress
Molly Aguirre (born 1984), American snowboarder
Molly Antopol (born 1978), American fiction and nonfiction writer
Molly Applebaum (born 1930), Polish Canadian holocaust survivor and diarist
Molly Musiime Asiimwe (born 1962), Ugandan politician
Mollie Arline Kirkland Bailey (c. 1844–1918), American circus musician, singer, wartime nurse and alleged Confederate spy
Molly Bair (born 1997), American model
Molly Ball, American political journalist and writer
Molly Bang (born 1943), American Illustrator
Molly Barker, American educator and triathlete
Molly Barton (1861–1949), Irish artist
Molly Bartrip (born 1996), English footballer
Molly Baumgardner (born 1959), American politician
Molly Baz, American cook, food writer and video host
Martina "Molly" Beck (born 1979), German retired biathlete
Molly Bee (1939–2009), stage name of Mollie Gene Beachboard, American country music singer
Molly Bernard (born 1988), American actress
Molly Beucher, American actress
Molly Bingham, American journalist and filmmaker
Molly Birnbaum, American writer
Molly Bish (1983–2000), American murder victim
Molly Blackburn (1930–1985), South African activist
Molly Blake (1917–2011), British illustrator
Molly Bloom (born 1978), American entrepreneur and author
Molly Lamb Bobak (1920–2014), Canadian teacher and artist
Molly Bolin (born 1957), American basketball player
Molly Bordonaro, American diplomat
Molly Botkin (born 1943), American swimmer
Molly Brant (c. 1736–1796), prominent Mohawk woman in the era of the American Revolution
Molly S. Bray, American geneticist
Molly Brearley, British educationist, teacher and writer
Molly Brett, English illustrator and children's author
Molly Corbett Broad (1941–2023), American academic administrator
Molly Brodak (1980–2020), American poet, writer and baker
Margaret "The Unsinkable Molly" Brown (1867–1932), survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, philanthropist and activist
Molly Bruggeman (born 1992), American rower
Molly Buck, American politician
Molly Burch (born 1990), American musician
Molly Burhans, American cartographer, data scientist and environmental activist
Molly Burke (born 1994), Canadian YouTube personality
Molly Burman, musical artist
Molly Burnett (born 1988), American actress and singer
Molly Byrne (born 1928), Australian politician
Molly Cameron (born 1976), American racing cyclist
Molly Carlson (born 1998), Canadian high diver
Molly Carnes, American physician and academic
Molly Caudery (born 2000), English pole vaulter
Molly Cesanek (born 2001), American ice dancer
Molly Chacko (born 1969), Indian middle-distance runner
Molly Chance, American actress
Molly Cheek (born 1950), American actress
Molly Childers (1875–1964), American-Irish writer and nationalist
Molly Clark (c. 1920–2012), pastoral and tourism pioneer from Central Australia
Molly Clutton-Brock (1912–2013), British physical therapist and youth worker
Molly Conger, American activist and journalist
Molly Conlin (born 2001), English actress
Molly Contogeorge, Australian singer songwriter and musician
Molly Cook, American registered nurse and politician
Molly Cotton (c. 1902–1984), British archaeologist
Molly Cowan, New Zealand sprinter
Molly Cox (1925–1991), British television producer
Molly Crabapple (née Jennifer Caban; born 1983), American artist and writer
Molly Craft (1895–1978), American baseball player
Molly Craig, Australian Martu Aboriginal woman
Molly Cramer (1852–1936), German artist
Molly Creamer (born 1981), American basketball player
Molly J. Crockett (born 1983), American neuroscientist
Molly Culver (born 1967), American actress and model
Molly Daniels, Australian actress
Molly Davies, British playwright
Molly Davis (born 2000), American basketball player
Molly Dineen (born 1959), British documentary filmmaker
Molly Dodd (1921–1981), American actress
Molly Donahue, American educator and politician
Molly Drake (1915–1993), English poet and musician
Molly Duncan (1945–2019), Scottish saxophonist
Molly Dunsworth (born 1990), Canadian actress
Molly Engstrom (born 1983), American ice hockey player
Molly Ephraim (born 1986), American actress
Molly Erdman, American actress
Mary "Mollie" Evans (1922–2016), British antique dealer
Molly Fink (1896–1967), Australian socialite
Molly Fisk (born 1955), American poet and radio commentator
Molly Flaherty (1914–1989), Australian cricketer
Molly Gaskin, Trinidad and Tobago environmentalist
Molly Geertsema (1918–1991), Dutch politician
Molly Gibson, American girl and longest frozen embryo to be born
Molly Giles, American writer
Molly Gloss (born 1944), American novelist
Molly Glynn (1968–2014), American actress
Molly Goddard, British fashion designer
Molly Goodenbour (born 1972), American basketball player and coach
Molly Goodman (born 1993), Australian rower
Molly Goodnight (1839–1926), American rancher
Molly Gordon (born 1994), American actress
Molly Gourlay (1898–1990), British golfer
Molly Grace, musical artist
Molly Graham, Scottish amateur golfer
Molly Gray (born 1984), American politician
Molly Gregory (1914–2006), American artist
Molly Guion (1910–1982), American painter
Molly Hagan (born 1961), American actress
Molly-Mae Hague (born 1999), English influencer
Molly Hamley-Clifford (1887–1956), British actress
Molly Hammar (born 1995), Swedish singer and songwriter
Molly Hannis (born 1992), American swimmer
Mollie Hardwick (1916–2003), English author
Molly Harper, American writer
Molly Harrison (curator) (1909–2002), English museum curator and author
Molly Harrower (1906–1999), American clinical psychologist
Molly Hawkey (born 1978), American actress and photographer
Molly Haskell (born 1939), American feminist film critic and author
Molly Hattersley, British educationist
Molly Hawkey (born 1978), American actress
Molly Costain Haycraft (1911–2005), Canadian writer
Molly Healy, Australian cricketer
Molly Henneberg (born 1973), American journalist
Molly Hide (1913–1995), English cricketer
Molly Hocking (born 2000), English singer
Molly Holden (1927–1981), British poet
Molly Holly (born 1977), American professional wrestler
Molly Holzschlag (1963–2023), American computer scientist
Molly Howard, American politician
Molly Huddle (born 1984), American long-distance runner
Mary Vivian "Molly" Hughes, British author
Mollie Hunter (1922–2012), Scottish writer
Molly Idle, American children's book illustrator
Mary "Molly" Ivins (1944–2007), American columnist, political commentator, humorist and author
Molly Izzard (1919–2004), English writer
Molly Jahn, American plant geologist
Molly Jenkins, American politician
Molly Jenson (born 1979), American singer songwriter
Molly Jobe, American actress and singer
Mollie Johnson, 19th-century American Old West madam in South Dakota
Margaret "Molly" Johnson (born 1959), Canadian singer and songwriter
Molly Johnson (writer) (1931–2016), Swedish novelist
Molly Jong-Fast (born 1978), American author and pundit
Molly Jovic (born 1995), Australian netball player
Molly Nawe Kamukama (born 1973), Ugandan politician
Mollie Katzen (born 1950), American chef and cookbook writer
M. M. Kaye (1908–2004), British writer, author of The Far Pavilions
Molly Kazan (1906–1963), American dramatist
Mary "Molly" Keane (née Mary Nesta Skrine; 1904–1996), Irish novelist and playwright
Molly Kearney (born 1992), American actor and comedian
Molly Kehoe (born 2004), Caymanian footballer
Molly Kelly (born 1949), American politician
Molly Kelly (rugby union), Wales international rugby union player
Molly Kate Kestner (born 1995), American singer
Molly Kiely (born 1969), Canadian-American alternative cartoonist
Molly Killingbeck (born 1959), Canadian sprinter
Mollie King (born 1987), British singer with The Saturdays
Molly Kool (1916–2009), Canadian sea captain
Molly Kreklow (born 1992), American volleyball player
Mollie Kyle (born 1886), survivor of the Osage Indian murders
Molly Ladd-Taylor (born 1955), Canadian historian
Molly Lambert, American journalist
Molly Lamont (1910–2001), South African-born British film actress
Molly Lanyero (born 1975), Ugandan politician
Molly Larkey, American artist
Molly Lazechko (1926–2010), American politician
Molly Leach (born 1960), American graphic designer
Molly Le Bas (1903–1996), British artist
Molly Lefebure (1919–2013), British writer
Molly Leishman (born 1998), New Zealand actress
Molly Lewis (born 1989), American musician
Molly Lewis (basketball) (born 1989), Australian basketball player
Molly Lewis (whistler), musical artist
Molly Line (born 1977), American news correspondent
Molly Luce (1896–1986), American painter
Molly Ludlow (born 1987), American middle-distance runner
Molly Luft (1944–2010), German prostitute and brothel owner
Molly Macalister (1920–1979), New Zealand artist
Molly MacArthur (1893–1972), English artist and stage designer
Molly K. Macauley (1957–2016), American economist
Mary MacCarthy (1882–1953), British writer associated with the "Bloomsbury Group"
Molly Murphy MacGregor, American educator
Molly Macindoe, American/New Zealander photographer and photojournalist
Molly Mackey (born 1992), American softball player and coach
Molly Maguires, 19th century secret society in Ireland
Molly Mahood (1919–2017), British literary scholar
Molly Malone Cook (1925–2005), American photographer and partner to Mary Oliver
Molly Malone (1888-1952), stage name of American actress Violet Malone
Molly F. Mare (1914–1997), British marine biologist
Molly Marples (1908–1998), microbial ecologist
Molly Mason, American musician and composer
Molly Mathews, Australian basketball player
Molly Mayeux, American producer
Molly McCann (born 1990), English mixed martial artist
Molly McCloskey (born 1964), American writer
Molly McClure (1919–2008), American actress
Mollie McConnell (1865–1920), American theater and silent film actress
Molly McCook (born 1990), American actress
Molly McGee (1952–1994), American gridiron football player
Molly S. McGlennen, American poet
Molly McGlynn, Canadian film and television director and screenwriter
Molly McGrann, American poet
Molly McGrath (born 1989), American sportscaster and studio host
Molly McGreevy (1936–2015), American actress
Molly McGuire, American musician
Molly McKay, American lawyer
Molly McKenna (born 2006), British trampoline gymnast
Molly McQuade, American poet, critic and editor
Molly Meacher, Baroness Meacher (born 1940), British politician
Molly Meech (born 1993), New Zealand sailor
Molly Meldrum (born 1943), Australian music journalist and media personality
Molly Menchel (born 1991), American soccer player
Molly Meyvisch (born 1995), Belgian cyclist
Molly A. Michael, American political operative
Molly Miller, American women's college basketball coach
Molly Molloy (1940–2016), American dancer, choreographer and teacher
Molly Moore, several people
Molly Morgan (c. 1762–1835), convict transported to Australia, landowner and farmer
Molly R. Morris (born 1956), American ecologist
Molly Morse, American civil engineer
Molly Jugadai Napaltjarri (c. 1954–2011), Australian artist
Molly Nesbit (born 1952), American art critic and editor
Molly Neuman (born 1972), American drummer
Molly Newman, American television writer and producer
Molly Nilsson (born 1984), Swedish singer songwriter and musician
Molly Nutley (born 1995), Swedish actress
Molly Nyman, British composer
Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer (born 1979), American sailor
Molly O'Day (1909–1998), American actress
Molly O'Day (singer) (1923–1987), American country music singer songwriter
Molly O'Keefe, American novelist
Molly O'Neill (1952–2019), American food writer, cookbook author and journalist
Molly O'Reilly, Irish Easter Rising Activist
Mollie Orshansky (1915–2006), American economist and statistician
Molly Knox Ostertag (born 1991), American cartoonist and writer
Molly O'Toole, American immigration and security reporter
Molly Parden, American folk musician
Molly Neptune Parker (1939–2020), American basketweaver
Molly Parker (born 1972), Canadian actress
Molly Parkin (born 1932), Welsh painter, novelist and journalist
Molly Peacock (born 1947), American-Canadian poet, essayist and creative non-fiction writer
Molly Pearson (1875–1959), Scottish stage actress
Molly Penfold, New Zealand cricketer
Molly Pesce (born 1963), American actress
Molly Peters, English actress and model
Mollie Phillips (1907–1994), British figure skater
Molly Picklum, Australian professional surfer
Molly Picon (née Małka Opiekun; 1898–1992), American actress in Yiddish theatre and film
Molly Pike (born 2001), English footballer
Molly Pitcher, nickname of a woman said to have fought in the American Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth, generally believed to have been Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley
Molly Poppinz, Australian drag performer
Molly Price (born 1966), American actress
Molly Przeworski, American population geneticist
Molly Qerim (born 1984), American sports anchor
Molly C. Quinn (born 1993), American actress
Molly Quinn (born 1993), American actress
Molly Rainford (born 2000), English actress and singer
Molly M. Raiser, American politician
Molly Ranson, American actress and singer
Molly Rapert (born 1963), marketing academic
Molly Raphael, American librarian
Molly Raynor (1905–1976), New Zealand-born actress
Molly Reilly (1922–1980), Canadian pilot
Molly Renshaw (born 1996), English swimmer
Molly Reynolds, Australian producer, screenwriter and director
Molly Rhone (born 1944), Jamaican politician
Molly Ringwald (born 1968), American actress, singer, and dancer
Molly Ritson (born 1999), Australian rules footballer
Molly Robson (born 1942), Australian politician
Molly Rush, American activist
Molly Samuel-Leport (born 1961), British karateka
Molly Sandén (born 1992), Swedish singer
Molly Sarlé, American musician
Molly Schaus (born 1988), American ice hockey goaltender and coach
Molly Schumer, American scientist
Molly Schuyler (born 1979), American competitive eater
Molly Scott, several people
Molly Scuffil-McCabe (born 1995), Irish rugby union player
Molly Searcy (born 1986), American voice actress
Molly Seaton, Northern Irish footballer
Molly Elliot Seawell (1860–1916), American dramatist
Molly Secours, American film producer
Molly Seidel (born 1994), American long-distance runner
Molly Shannon (born 1964), American comic actress
Molly Shattuck (born c. 1967), American socialite and oldest NFL cheerleader
Molly Shoichet, Canadian biomedical engineer
Molly Silfen (born 1980), American judge
Molly Simpson (born 2002), Canadian track cyclist
Molly Sims (born 1973), American model and actress
Mary Mollie Skinner (1876–1955), Australian Quaker, nurse and writer
Molly Smith, American theatre director
Molly Smith (producer) (born 1973), American film producer
Molly Smitten-Downes (born 1987), British singer-songwriter
Molly Smolen, American ballet dancer
Mary "Mollie" Sneden (1709–1810), ferry operator before and after the American Revolution
Molly Soda (born 1989), performance artist
Molly Spearman (born 1954), American teacher and politician
Molly Spotted Elk (1903–1977), American actress
Molly Springfield (born 1977), American artist
Molly Stanton (born 1980), American actress
Molly Stark (1737–1814), American Revolutionary War figure
Marthe "Mollie" Steimer (1897–1980), Russian-American anarchist, trade unionist, anti-war activist and free-speech campaigner
Molly Sterling (born 1998), Irish singer and songwriter
Molly Stevens (born 1974), British academic
Molly Strano (born 1992), Australian cricketer
Mollie Sugden (1922–2009), British actress
Molly Sullivan French (born 1979), American team reporter
Molly Sullivan Sliney (born 1966), American fencer
Molly Summerhayes (born 1997), British freestyle skier
Molly DeWolf Swenson, American film producer
Molly Tanzer (born 1981), American writer
Molly Tarlov (born 1986), American actress
Molly Tay (born 1952), Singaporean swimmer
Molly Taylor (born 1988), Australian female racing driver
Mememolly (born Molly Templeton in 1989), British-Canadian Internet personality
Molly Thompson-Smith (born 1997), British rock climber
Mollie Tibbetts (1998–2018), American murder victim
Molly Turner (1923–2016), American journalist
Molly Tuttle (born 1993), American singer and musician
Molly Urquhart (1906–1977), Scottish actress
Molly Van Nostrand (born 1965), American tennis player
Molly Verney (1675–1696), British artist
Molly Walker, English footballer
Molly Manning Walker, British cinematographer, screenwriter and director
Molly Watcke (born 1971), American long-distance runner
Molly Weaver (born 1994), British cyclist
Molly Weir (1910–2004), Scottish actress
Molly White (politician) (born 1958), American politician in the Texas House of Representatives
Molly White (writer) (born 1993), American software engineer
Molly Wieland, English diver
Molly Williams, first known female and Black firefighter in the U.S.
Molly Williamson, American diplomat
Molly Windsor (born 1997), British actress
Molly Wizenberg, American chef, entrepreneur and writer
Molly Wood (born 1975), American executive editor and writer
Molly Worthen, American politician and journalist
Molly Wright, several people
Molly Yard (1912–2005), American feminist
Molly Yeh (born 1989), American chef
Molly Yestadt, American fashion designer
Molly Zuckerman-Hartung, American painter

Fictional characters

In television and film

Molly Goldberg, from The Goldbergs (broadcast series)
Molly Jones, from A Country Practice
Molly Baker, English name of Naru Osaka from Sailor Moon
Molly Carter, from The Young and the Restless
Molly Coddle, from Bump in the Night (TV series)
Molly Dobbs, from Coronation Street
Molly Flynn-Biggs, from Mike & Molly
Molly Hooper, from Sherlock
Molly Lasch, from We'll Meet Again (2002 film)
Molly Lansing-Davis, from General Hospital
Molly MacDonald, from Arthur (TV series)
Molly Monster, from Little Muppet Monsters
Molly the Mermaid, from Barney and the Backyard Gang: A Day at the Beach
Molly O'Brien, from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Molly Walker, from Heroes (American TV series)
Molly, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Molly, from Friends and Joey
Eva "Molly" Wei, from Ōban Star-Racers
Molly, from The Big Comfy Couch
Molly Davis, from Toy Story
Molly Williams, from My Little Pony (TV series)
Molly, from Annie (1982 film)
Molly, from The Bubble Guppies
Molly, from Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
Molly, from The Basil Brush Show
Molly, from Thomas & Friends
Molly McGee, from The Ghost and Molly McGee
Molly McGee, from Fibber McGee and Molly
Molly Harper, from Final Destination 5
Molly Collins, from The Amazing World of Gumball
Molly Weasley, from the Harry Potter franchise
Molly Solverson, from Fargo (TV series)
Molly Gunn, from Uptown Girls
Molly Cunningham, from TaleSpin
Molly Cobb, from For All Mankind (TV Series)

In books and comics

Milly-Molly-Mandy from the books by Joyce Lankester Brisley
Molly Millions (also known as Sally Shears), from the stories and novels by William Gibson
Molly McIntire, protagonist from the American Girl series
Molly Moon, from the Molly Moon series
Molly Weasley, from the Harry Potter series
Molly Weasley Jr., Percy Weasley's daughter in the Harry Potter series
Molly Bloom, wife of Leopold Bloom in James Joyce's Ulysses
Molly Fitzgerald, alter ego of the Marvel Comics superhero Shamrock
Mollie, from the novel Animal Farm
Molly Mallard, a Disney character who is Scrooge McDuck's paternal grandmother
Molly Carpenter, whose full name is Margaret Katherine Amanda Carpenter, is initially featured in The Dresden Files as a recurring character, but grows into a main role in the novels following "Proven Guilty"
Molly the Goldfish Fairy, from the Rainbow Magic franchise
Molly, shortened name of Lady Emily Lenox, the sister-in-law of Charles Lenox in Charles Finch's mysteries
Molly Gibson, main character in Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters

Animals

Polly and Molly, cloned sheep
Molly, daughter of Ginger and Rocky (Chicken Run)

Notes

^ Evans, Cleveland Kent (24 September 2023). "Cleveland Evans: Molly peaked with millennials". omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
^ Campbell, Mike. "Molly". www.behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 20 January 2024.

This page or section lists people that share the same given name.
If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article.

[1] Evans, Cleveland Kent (24 September 2023). "Cleveland Evans: Molly peaked with millennials". omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2024.

[2] Campbell, Mike. "Molly". www.behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 20 January 2024.

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