Emma vs Molly

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Molly

Girl #208 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"star of the sea"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Cultural Roots

English Irish American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#208
Total SSA Count
1,465
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Mol, Mols

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Molly →

Popularity Comparison

Emma Rank #2
Molly Rank #208

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #208 for Molly.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Molly ___

  • Molly Grace
  • Molly Rose
  • Molly Kate
  • Molly Ann
  • Molly Jane
  • Molly Beth

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

If you choose Molly

Maggie Nora Bridget Finn Declan

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emma or Molly more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Molly at #208 in the United States.

What do Emma and Molly mean?

Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin). Molly means "star of the sea" (Hebrew via Latin origin).

Are Emma and Molly boy or girl names?

Emma is primarily a girl name. Molly is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Emma ← Full profile: Molly Browse all baby names