Mollie

Pronunciation: [ m-AHL-ee ]

Girl Name #1,209 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A warm Irish-English classic with timeless charm

English Irish American

Classic Playful Vintage Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"wished-for child"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"pet form of Mary"

Origin: English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Molly is a widely recognized slang term for MDMA (the drug), which may be a consideration for some parents

The Story of Mollie

Mollie (and its variant Molly) developed as a medieval English pet form of Mary, which derives from the Hebrew 'Miriam' — possibly meaning 'sea of bitterness,' 'rebellion,' or 'wished-for child.' In the rhyming slang tradition of medieval England, Mary became Molly through the 'M-to-M' alteration common in nickname formation (similar to how William became Will, then Bill). The name has been a staple of British and Irish culture for centuries.

Mollie/Molly has been popular in Ireland and Britain since the 17th century. In the US, it surged in the 1990s-2000s, partly through the film Molly (1999) and the musical Molly Brown. The -ie ending gives Mollie a slightly more old-fashioned, literary quality compared to the more modern -y spelling.

Molly is deeply embedded in Irish culture — 'Molly Malone' is a famous Dublin folk ballad about a fishmonger who haunts the streets of Dublin. In British culture, the name evokes warmth, accessibility, and an approachable character. The -ie spelling was common in Victorian and Edwardian England.

Fun Facts

'Molly Malone' ('Cockles and Mussels') is the unofficial anthem of Dublin and is performed at Irish sporting events worldwide
The name Mary/Molly has been the most common female name in the English-speaking world for multiple centuries

Mollie in Other Languages

Irish Máire

French Marie

German Maria

Italian Maria

Spanish María

Famous People Named Mollie

Mollie King

Musician

1987

British singer, member of The Saturdays, and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter

Molly Weasley Fictional

Other

Beloved matriarch of the Weasley family in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, famous for her fierce maternal love

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,209
Total SSA Count: 196
Cultural Origins: English Irish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Molly #208

Common Nicknames

Mol

Pairs Well With

Mollie Rose Mollie Grace Mollie Ann Mollie Jane Mollie Kate Mollie Claire

Sibling Names

Charlie Finn Archie Nell Polly Bertie

Also a Boy Name

Mollie is also used as a boy name, ranked #23326.

View Mollie as a boy name →

Similar Names

Ella Nellie Maggie Elsie Ollie Pauline Allie Millie

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mollie

What does the name Mollie mean?

"wished-for child" (from Hebrew). "pet form of Mary" (from English). Mollie (and its variant Molly) developed as a medieval English pet form of Mary, which derives from the Hebrew 'Miriam' — possibly meaning 'sea of bitterness,' 'rebellion,' or 'wished-for child.' In the rhyming slang tradition of medieval England, Mary became Molly through the 'M-to-M' alteration common in nickname formation (similar to how William became Will, then Bill). The name has been a staple of British and Irish culture for centuries.

What is the origin of the name Mollie?

Mollie has Hebrew, English, Irish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "wished-for child". In English, it means "pet form of Mary".

Is Mollie a boy or girl name?

Mollie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1209. As a boy name, it is ranked #23326. Mollie is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Mollie?

Mollie is pronounced m-AHL-ee.

How popular is the name Mollie?

Mollie is currently ranked #1209 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Mollie?

Common nicknames for Mollie include Mol.

What are good middle names for Mollie?

Popular middle name pairings include Mollie Rose, Mollie Grace, Mollie Ann, Mollie Jane, Mollie Kate, and Mollie Claire.

What are good sibling names for Mollie?

Names that pair well with Mollie as siblings include Charlie, Finn, Archie, Nell, Polly, and Bertie.

How many syllables does Mollie have?

Mollie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Mollie a common or rare name?

Mollie is an uncommon name, ranked #1209 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Mollie

Mollie is a girl name with English, Irish, and American origins . The name means "wished-for child" in Hebrew .

Is Mollie a boy or girl name? Mollie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,209 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #23,326. Mollie is more commonly used as a girl name.

Mollie is currently ranked #1,209 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Mollie has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Mollie include Mol. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Mollie include Molly . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.