An English and Irish pet name for Mary.

Molly name meaning irish. Molly in Irish is Mallaidh. Now revived in popular usage also possibly due to actress Molly Ringwald. Top 100 Names for Boys Top 100 Names for Boys.

Top 100 Names for Girls Top 100 Names for Girls. Molly is also occasionally considered a pet form of Margaret meaning pearl but it is definitely more strongly associated with the beloved Mary. Molly originated as a diminutive of Mary spawning from medieval variations Malle and Molle.

The name first evolved as an 18th-century diminutive of Mary via the older form Mally Middle English. In Ireland the name Molly is often associated with a song about Molly Malone a 17th century hawker from Dublin. Pet form of Mary.

Alternative spellings nicknames. Star of the Sea. Since Molly emerged as a diminutive of Mary the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus is regarded the Patron Saint of the name.

Molly is used predominantly in English and Irish. It has been in use since the late Middle Ages. The name might be derived from an Egyptian word Myr beloved or mr love or even the Ancient Egyptian name Meritamen or Merit-Amun meaning beloved of Amun.

The change of the -r- to -ll- is reflected in other English names including Sally. In the past moll had meant a prostitue or a gangsters girlfriend. Baby Names Baby Names.