Girl Name · Hebrew Origin
Molly
Pick up any 2026 baby-name shortlist and Molly is almost certainly on it. Linguistically, Molly carries the meaning "Bitter", a definition that's reflective without being heavy. The Hebrew roots give Molly a cultural lineage that long predates its modern revival. Our reviewers flagged Molly as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
In the US Social Security Administration data, Molly currently sits in the top 1,000, which makes it distinctive but not obscure. The popularity curve has been notably even over the last decade, which means classmates named Molly are likely without it feeling overdone. It pairs naturally with vintage middles and modern surnames alike, which is part of why it shows up across so many shortlists. Parents who love Molly often also weigh Milly, Mollie, Mylah — and the Molly name page below covers nicknames, sibling pairings, and pronunciation in detail.
Molly meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Bitter
Origin: Hebrew naming roots help connect Molly to related Hebrew baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Molly as M·O·L·L·Y, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Molly is distinctive but not obscure in the Top 1000 tier.
Molly variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Mollya, Mollye, Mollyy, Moll.
- Nicknames: Mol and M.
- Middle names: Pair Molly with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Molly middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Milly, Mollie, Mylah, Miley, Malia — full picks on the sibling names for Molly guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Molly? Browse our names like Molly guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Molly
What does the name Molly mean?
Molly means "Bitter" and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of Molly?
Molly originates in Hebrew naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Molly?
Molly has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Molly a boy's or girl's name?
Molly is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Molly in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Molly sits in the Top 1000 tier — distinctive but not obscure.
What names are similar to Molly?
Names that share Molly's sound and style include Milly, Mollie, Mylah, Miley, Malia.
What middle names pair well with Molly?
Good middle-name fits for Molly pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Molly is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Molly is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Molly?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Molly share its rhythm without rhyming — Milly, Mollie, Mylah all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.