Molly vs Penelope

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

Molly Rank #208
Penelope Rank #28

Penelope is more popular, ranked #28 vs #208 for Molly.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Molly ___

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

Penelope ___

  • Penelope Rose
  • Penelope Jane
  • Penelope Claire
  • Penelope Grace
  • Penelope Anne
  • Penelope Joy

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Molly

Maggie Nora Bridget Finn Declan

If you choose Penelope

Theodore Athena Jasper Phoebe Sebastien

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 Molly or Penelope more popular?

Penelope is more popular, ranked #28 compared to Molly at #208 in the United States.

What do Molly and Penelope mean?

Molly means "star of the sea" (Hebrew via Latin origin). Penelope means "weaver, one who weaves" (Greek penelops origin).

Are Molly and Penelope boy or girl names?

Molly is primarily a girl name. Penelope is primarily a girl name.

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