Name meaning & stats
Molly
Molly means “beloved, or bitter (debated)” (Hebrew origin). 166,561 US babies since 1940, peak 1991. Notable Mollys are 1.8× over-represented as footballers.
What it means
“beloved, or bitter (debated)”
HebrewDebated
In US birth records
Peak year: 1991
166,561 US babies were named Molly between 1940 and 2025.
Where Mollys end up
Not enough notable Mollys yet, so this uses the spelling family: Molly, Mollie.
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.0× | High · 34 people |
| Writer | 1.2× | High · 27 people |
| Footballer | 1.8× | Medium · 20 people |
| Basketball player | 1.6× | Medium · 17 people |
Among notable women who are footballers, the Molly family show up 1.8× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 86% of the family
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1991)