Jane vs Molly

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Jane

Girl #269 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin and Old French

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#269
Total SSA Count
1,180
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Janie, Janey

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jane →

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

Jane Rank #269
Molly Rank #208

Molly is more popular, ranked #208 vs #269 for Jane.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Jane ___

  • Jane Elizabeth
  • Jane Catherine
  • Jane Louise
  • Jane Marie
  • Jane Amelia
  • Jane Victoria

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 Jane

Charlotte Henry Edmund Eleanor Arthur

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 Jane or Molly more popular?

Molly is more popular, ranked #208 compared to Jane at #269 in the United States.

What do Jane and Molly mean?

Jane means "God is gracious" (Hebrew via Latin and Old French origin). Molly means "star of the sea" (Hebrew via Latin origin).

Are Jane and Molly boy or girl names?

Jane is primarily a girl name. Molly is primarily a girl name.

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