Esme 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

Esme Rank #344
Molly Rank #208

Molly is more popular, ranked #208 vs #344 for Esme.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Esme ___

  • Esme Rose
  • Esme Pearl
  • Esme Violet
  • Esme Gray
  • Esme Wren
  • Esme June

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 Esme

Soren Jasper Ottilie Wren Felix

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 Esme or Molly more popular?

Molly is more popular, ranked #208 compared to Esme at #344 in the United States.

What do Esme and Molly mean?

Esme means "beloved, esteemed" (French origin). Molly means "star of the sea" (Hebrew via Latin origin).

Are Esme and Molly boy or girl names?

Esme is primarily a girl name. Molly is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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