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Molly

Girl name · 3,700 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Molly: 3,700 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 183 births in 2004.

Molly began as a cheerful diminutive of Mary, itself from the Hebrew Miriam, meaning "bitter" or "beloved." The name gained fame through Margaret "Molly" Brown, the unsinkable survivor of the Titanic who became a socialite and philanthropist, and later through actress Molly Ringwald, the quintessential 1980s teen star. While no major places bear the name directly, the town of Mollymook in Australia shares a similar sound, though its origin is Aboriginal. In Scotland, Molly has remained a steady favourite, often chosen for its friendly, timeless feel, and it also appears in Irish slang as a term for a woman or girl, adding a touch of cultural warmth.