Molly (also spelled Molli or Mollie) is a diminutive of the feminine name

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a female given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religion * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also called the Blesse ...

that, like other English

diminutives A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to belittle s ...

in use since the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

, substituted l for r. Molly evolved from the English diminutive Mally. English surnames such as Moll, Mollett, and Mollison are derived from Molly. Molly has also been used as a diminutive of

Margaret Margaret is a feminine given name, which means "pearl". It is of Latin origin, via Ancient Greek and ultimately from Iranian languages, Old Iranian. It has been an English language, English name since the 11th century, and remained popular thro ...

and

Martha Martha (Aramaic language, Aramaic: מָרְתָא‎) is a Bible, biblical figure described in the Gospels of Gospel of Luke, Luke and Gospel of John, John. Together with her siblings Lazarus of Bethany, Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, she is descr ...

since the 1700s and as an independent name since at least 1720. The name was more popular in the United States than elsewhere in the

Anglosphere The Anglosphere, also known as the Anglo-American world, is a Western-led sphere of influence among the Anglophone countries. The core group of this sphere of influence comprises five developed countries that maintain close social, cultura ...

in the 1800s due to usage by Irish-American families and by Jewish American families who used Molly as an English version of Hebrew names such as

Miriam Miriam (, lit. ‘rebellion’) is described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. She was a prophetess and first appears in the Book of Exodus. The Torah refers to her as "Miria ...

and Malka. Its popularity with Americans was also influenced by stories about

Molly Pitcher Molly Pitcher is a nickname given to a woman who fought in the American Revolutionary War. She is most often identified as Mary Ludwig Hays, who fought in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. Another possibility is Margaret Corbin, who helped ...

, a heroine of the

American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...

Usage

The name has been among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States since 1880 and was among the 100 most popular names for American girls at different times between 1987 and 2012. It has been among the 100 most popular names for newborn girls in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom since the 1990s, and in Denmark since 2019. It was among the top 100 names for girls in some Canadian provinces between 2007 and 2011.

People

Women

* Molly Adair (1905–1990), English actress * Molly Aguirre (born 1984), American snowboarder * Molly Antopol (born 1978), American fiction and nonfiction writer * Molly Applebaum (born 1930), Polish Canadian holocaust survivor and diarist * Molly Musiime Asiimwe (born 1962), Ugandan politician * Mollie Arline Kirkland Bailey (c. 1844–1918), American circus musician, singer, wartime nurse and alleged Confederate spy * Molly Bair (born 1997), American model *

Molly Ball Molly Ball is an American political journalist and writer. She is the senior political correspondent for ''The Wall Street Journal''. She is the author of a 2020 biography of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Early life and education Ball was rais ...

, American political journalist and writer * Molly Bang (born 1943), American Illustrator *

Molly Barker Molly Barker (born in 1960) is an American educator, triathlete and social visionary. She is best known as the founder of Girls on the Run. Personal life and education Barker was born in 1960 as Mary Wilmer in Charlotte, North Carolina to Mary v ...

, American educator and triathlete * Molly Barton (1861–1949), Irish artist * Molly Bartrip (born 1996), English footballer * Molly Baumgardner (born 1959), American politician * Molly Baz, American cook, food writer and video host * Martina "Molly" Beck (born 1979), German retired biathlete *

Molly Bee Molly Bee (born Mollie Gene Beachboard; August 18, 1939 – February 7, 2009), was an American country music singer and guitarist famous for her 1952 recording of the early perennial " I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and as Pinky Lee's sidekick ...

(1939–2009), stage name of Mollie Gene Beachboard, American country music singer * Molly Bernard (born 1988), American actress * Molly Beucher, American actress * Molly Bingham, American journalist and filmmaker * Molly Birnbaum, American writer * Molly Bish (1983–2000), American murder victim * Molly Blackburn (1930–1985), South African activist * Molly Blake (1917–2011), British illustrator *

Molly Bloom Molly Bloom is a fictional character in the 1922 novel '' Ulysses'' by James Joyce James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (born James Augusta Joyce; 2 February 1882 – 13 January 1941) was an Irish novelist, poet, and literary critic. He contribu ...

(born 1978), American entrepreneur and author * Molly Lamb Bobak (1920–2014), Canadian teacher and artist *

Molly Bolin "Machine Gun" Molly Bolin (born Monna Lea Van Benthuysen; November 13, 1957) is an American former basketball player. Following a college basketball, college career at Grand View University, she went on to star at the first women's professional ba ...

(born 1957), American basketball player * Molly Bordonaro, American diplomat * Molly Botkin (born 1943), American swimmer *

Molly Brant Molly Brant ( – April 16, 1796), also known as Mary Brant, Konwatsi'tsiaienni, and Degonwadonti, was a Mohawk leader in British New York and Upper Canada in the era of the American Revolution. Living in the Province of New York, she was the c ...

(c. 1736–1796), prominent Mohawk woman in the era of the American Revolution * Molly S. Bray, American geneticist * Molly Brearley, British educationist, teacher and writer * Molly Brett, English illustrator and children's author * Molly Corbett Broad (1941–2023), American academic administrator *

Molly Brodak Molly Brodak (March 29, 1980 – March 8, 2020) was an American poet, writer, and baker. She was the author of the poetry collection ''A Little Middle of the Night'' (University of Iowa Press, 2010) and the memoir ''Bandit'' (Grove Press, 2016). ' ...

(1980–2020), American poet, writer and baker * Margaret "The Unsinkable Molly" Brown (1867–1932), survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, philanthropist and activist * Molly Bruggeman (born 1992), American rower * Molly Buck, American politician * Molly Burch (born 1990), American musician *

Molly Burhans Molly Burhans (born ) is an American cartographer, data scientist, and environmental activist. She is the founder of GoodLands, an organization which aims to mobilize the Catholic Church to use its land for environmental and social justice pur ...

, American cartographer, data scientist and environmental activist * Molly Burke (born 1994), Canadian YouTube personality * Molly Burman, musical artist * Molly Burnett (born 1988), American actress and singer *

Molly Byrne Molly Veronica Byrne (born 30 November 1928) is a former Australian politician who represented the South Australian House of Assembly seats of Barossa from 1965 to 1970, Tea Tree Gully from 1970 to 1977, and Todd from 1977 to 1979 for the La ...

(born 1928), Australian politician * Molly Cameron (born 1976), American racing cyclist *

Molly Carlson Molly Carlson (born September 22, 1998) is a Canadian high diver and social media personality. She is a member of Canada's senior national high diving team and placed second at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Carls ...

(born 1998), Canadian high diver * Molly Carnes, American physician and academic *

Molly Caudery Molly Caudery (born 17 March 2000) is a British athlete who competes in the pole vault event for England and Great Britain. Caudery is the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, 2024 World Indoor champion. She was also a silver medalist at ...

(born 2000), English pole vaulter * Molly Cesanek (born 2001), American ice dancer * Molly Chacko (born 1969), Indian middle-distance runner * Molly Chance, American actress *

Molly Cheek Molly Cheek (born March 2, 1950) is an American actress. A Connecticut College graduate she worked in ‘dinner-theater productions and summer stock’ before finding television and film work. Cheek is best known for her roles in the televisio ...

(born 1950), American actress * Molly Childers (1875–1964), American-Irish writer and nationalist *

Molly Clark Molly Clark (c.1920 - 2012) was a pastoral and tourism pioneer from Central Australia in the Northern Territory of Australia. She established the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame. Early life Clark began her working life as a governess on Mun ...

(c. 1920–2012), pastoral and tourism pioneer from Central Australia * Molly Clutton-Brock (1912–2013), British physical therapist and youth worker * Molly Conger, American activist and journalist *

Molly Conlin Molly Conlin (born 23 February 2001) is a former English actress, known for her role as Dotty Cotton on the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. Early life Conlin was born in Canning Town, London where she lives with her mother and her brother, Jack ...

(born 2001), English actress * Molly Contogeorge, Australian singer songwriter and musician * Molly Cook, American registered nurse and politician * Molly Cotton (c. 1902–1984), British archaeologist * Molly Cowan, New Zealand sprinter * Molly Cox (1925–1991), British television producer * Molly Crabapple (née Jennifer Caban; born 1983), American artist and writer * Molly Craft (1895–1978), American baseball player * Molly Craig, Australian Martu Aboriginal woman * Molly Cramer (1852–1936), German artist * Molly Creamer (born 1981), American basketball player * Molly J. Crockett (born 1983), American neuroscientist * Molly Culver (born 1967), American actress and model *

Molly Daniels Molly Daniels is an Australian actress, writer, director, and producer. She is best known for her roles in ''You're Skitting Me'', '' Tomorrow When the War Began'', '' Ronny Chieng: International Student'' and '' Very Small Business''. She was ...

, Australian actress * Molly Davies, British playwright * Molly Davis (born 2000), American basketball player *

Molly Dineen Molly Dineen is a documentary film director, cinematographer, and producer. One of Britain's most acclaimed documentary filmmakers, Dineen is known for her intimate and probing portraits of British individuals and institutions. Her work includes ...

(born 1959), British documentary filmmaker *

Molly Dodd Molly Dodd (November 11, 1921 — March 26, 1981) was an American actress. Biography Born as Mary Elise Dodd in Los Angeles, California to Rev. Neal Dodd (September 6, 1879 — May 26, 1966) and Lila Elsie Dodd (née Weaver; September 12, 188 ...

(1921–1981), American actress * Molly Donahue, American educator and politician *

Molly Drake Mary Drake (born Mary Lloyd; 5 November 1915 – 4 June 1993), also known as Molly Drake, was an English poet and musician. She is known as the mother of actress Gabrielle Drake and musician Nick Drake. Molly Drake never released any official p ...

(1915–1993), English poet and musician * Molly Duncan (1945–2019), Scottish saxophonist * Molly Dunsworth (born 1990), Canadian actress * Molly Engstrom (born 1983), American ice hockey player *

Molly Ephraim Molly Ephraim (born May 22, 1986) is an American actress who has appeared in films, television, and Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theater productions. She is best known for her role as Mandy Baxter on the ABC/Fox sitcom '' Last Man Sta ...

(born 1986), American actress * Molly Erdman, American actress * Mary "Mollie" Evans (1922–2016), British antique dealer * Molly Fink (1896–1967), Australian socialite * Molly Fisk (born 1955), American poet and radio commentator *

Molly Flaherty Molly Flaherty (10 May 1914 – 13 January 1989) was an Australian cricket player. Flaherty played six test matches for the Australia national women's cricket team. She played domestic cricket for the New South Wales women's cricket team as ...

(1914–1989), Australian cricketer * Molly Gaskin, Trinidad and Tobago environmentalist *

Molly Geertsema Willem Jacob "Molly" Geertsema II (; 18 October 1918 – 27 June 1991) was a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and jurist. Geertsema attended a Gymnasium in The Hague from June 1930 until June 1937 and appl ...

(1918–1991), Dutch politician * Molly Gibson, American girl and longest frozen embryo to be born * Molly Giles, American writer * Molly Gloss (born 1944), American novelist * Molly Glynn (1968–2014), American actress *

Molly Goddard Molly Goddard (born 16 December 1988) is a London-based, British fashion designer. Early life Daughter of Sarah Edwards and Mark Goddard, Molly grew up in Ladbroke Grove and has a sister. She trained at Central Saint Martins with the intenti ...

, British fashion designer * Molly Goodenbour (born 1972), American basketball player and coach *

Molly Goodman Molly Goodman (born 19 February 1993) is an Australian rower. She is a national champion, a three-time Olympian and a world champion winning the 2017 world title in a coxless four. She stroked the Australian eight to victory in the Remenham Cha ...

(born 1993), Australian rower * Molly Goodnight (1839–1926), American rancher * Molly Gordon (born 1994), American actress * Molly Gourlay (1898–1990), British golfer * Molly Grace, musical artist * Molly Graham, Scottish amateur golfer *

Molly Gray Molly Rose Gray (born March 18, 1984) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 83rd List of lieutenant governors of Vermont, lieutenant governor of Vermont from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democ ...

(born 1984), American politician * Molly Gregory (1914–2006), American artist *

Molly Guion Molly Guion (23 September 1910 – 1982) was an American portrait painter. She taught at the Art Students League of New York. Early life and education Molly Guion was born in New Rochelle, New York on 23 September 1910. Her parents were Cl ...

(1910–1982), American painter *

Molly Hagan Molly Hagan (born August 3, 1961) is an American actress. She co-starred in films ''Code of Silence'' (1985), '' Some Kind of Wonderful'' (1987), '' The Dentist'' (1996), ''Election'' (1999), and '' Sully'' (2016), and is also known for her roles ...

(born 1961), American actress * Molly-Mae Hague (born 1999), English influencer * Molly Hamley-Clifford (1887–1956), British actress * Molly Hammar (born 1995), Swedish singer and songwriter * Molly Hannis (born 1992), American swimmer *

Mollie Hardwick Mollie Greenhalgh Hardwick (7 March 1916 in Prestwich, Lancashire – 13 December 2003), also known as Mary Atkinson, was an English author who was best known for writing books that accompanied the TV series '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. Hardwi ...

(1916–2003), English author * Molly Harper, American writer * Molly Harrison (curator) (1909–2002), English museum curator and author * Molly Harrower (1906–1999), American clinical psychologist * Molly Hawkey (born 1978), American actress and photographer *

Molly Haskell Molly Clark Haskell (born September 29, 1939)Aitken, Ian, ed. (2006)''Encyclopedia of Documentary Film, Volume 2'' New York: Routledge. p. 541. . is an American film critic and author. She contributed to '' The Village Voice''—first as a ...

(born 1939), American feminist film critic and author *

Molly Hattersley Molly Hattersley (née Edith Mary Loughran; born 5 February 1931) is a British education consultant. Hattersley was previously a teacher and headteacher, noted for shaping education policy, having overseen experimental desegregation of the British ...

, British educationist * Molly Hawkey (born 1978), American actress *

Molly Costain Haycraft Molly Costain Haycraft (6 December 1911 – 5 June 2005) was a Canadian author. She was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and spent her childhood in Philadelphia, where her father, the well-known novelist Thomas B. Costain, was an editor for ''The ...

(1911–2005), Canadian writer * Molly Healy, Australian cricketer * Molly Henneberg (born 1973), American journalist *

Molly Hide Mary Edith "Molly" Hide (24 October 1913 – September 10, 1995) was an English cricketer who played as a right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler. She appeared in 15 Test matches for England between 1934 and 1954. She was one of the ...

(1913–1995), English cricketer * Molly Hocking (born 2000), English singer * Molly Holden (1927–1981), British poet *

Molly Holly Nora Kristina Greenwald (born September 7, 1977) is an American retired professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, under the ring name Molly Holly, as a producer. She is also known for her tenure in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Miss Ma ...

(born 1977), American professional wrestler *

Molly Holzschlag Molly Miriam Esther Holzschlag (January 25, 1963 – September 5, 2023) was an American author, lecturer and advocate of the Open Web. She wrote or co-authored 35 books on web design and open standards, including '' The Zen of CSS Design: Visua ...

(1963–2023), American computer scientist * Molly Howard, American politician * Molly Huddle (born 1984), American long-distance runner * Mary Vivian "Molly" Hughes (1886–1956), British author *

Mollie Hunter Maureen Mollie Hunter McIlwraith (30 June 1922 – 31 July 2012) was a Scottish writer known as Mollie Hunter. She wrote fantasy for children, historical stories for young adults, and realistic novels for adults. Many of her works are inspired b ...

(1922–2012), Scottish writer * Molly Idle, American children's book illustrator * Mary "Molly" Ivins (1944–2007), American columnist, political commentator, humorist and author *

Molly Izzard Molly Izzard ( Crutchleigh-Fitzpatrick; 1 August 1919 – 4 February 2004) was an English writer. She was the co-author of the book ''Smelling The Breezes'', published in 1959, about a camping trek she and her family took in the High Lebanon mou ...

(1919–2004), English writer *

Molly Jahn Molly Jahn is an American plant geneticist and breeder and Professor of Agronomy at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. She was Under Secretary of Research, Education and Economics in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2009 - 2010). Career Ja ...

, American plant geologist *

Molly Jenkins Molly Jenkins is an American politician who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 33rd district since 2024. Career Molly Jenkins is from Coyle, Oklahoma. She earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State Univers ...

, American politician * Molly Jenson (born 1979), American singer songwriter * Molly Jobe, American actress and singer * Mollie Johnson, 19th-century American Old West madam in South Dakota * Margaret "Molly" Johnson (born 1959), Canadian singer and songwriter * Molly Johnson (writer) (1931–2016), Swedish novelist * Molly Jong-Fast (born 1978), American author and pundit * Molly Jovic (born 1995), Australian netball player * Molly Nawe Kamukama (born 1973), Ugandan politician *

Mollie Katzen Mollie Katzen (born October 13, 1950, in Rochester, New York, U.S.) is an American cookbook author and artist. The author of twelve cookbooks (all of which she also illustrated), she is best known for the hand-lettered, illustrated ''Moosewood Co ...

(born 1950), American chef and cookbook writer * M. M. Kaye (1908–2004), British writer, author of ''The Far Pavilions'' * Molly Kazan (1906–1963), American dramatist * Mary "Molly" Keane (née Mary Nesta Skrine; 1904–1996), Irish novelist and playwright * Molly Kearney (born 1992), American actor and comedian * Molly Kehoe (born 2004), Caymanian footballer *

Molly Kelly Molly Kelly is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the New Hampshire Senate, representing the 10th District from 2006 until 2016. She was the Democratic nominee for Governor of New Hampshire in the 2018 ele ...

(born 1949), American politician * Molly Kelly (rugby union), Wales international rugby union player * Molly Kate Kestner (born 1995), American singer * Molly Kiely (born 1969), Canadian-American alternative cartoonist * Molly Killingbeck (born 1959), Canadian sprinter *

Mollie King Mollie Elizabeth King (born 4 June 1987) is an English pop singer, songwriter, radio presenter and a member of girl group The Saturdays. As part of The Saturdays, King has had 13 Top 10 and eight Top 5 singles, including the UK number-one hit ...

(born 1987), British singer with The Saturdays * Molly Kool (1916–2009), Canadian sea captain * Molly Kreklow (born 1992), American volleyball player * Mollie Kyle (1886–1937), survivor of the

Osage Indian murders The Osage Indian murders was a serial killing event that took place in Osage County, Oklahoma, United States, during the 1910s–1930s. Newspapers described the increasing number of unsolved murders and deaths among young adults of the Osage Nat ...

* Molly Ladd-Taylor (born 1955), Canadian historian * Molly Lambert, American journalist *

Molly Lamont Molly Lamont (22 May 1910 – 7 July 2001) was a South African-British film actress. Life and career Margorie Edith Lamont was born in Boksburg, Transvaal, South Africa. She was active in sports as a young woman. She moved to England aft ...

(1910–2001), South African-born British film actress * Molly Lanyero (born 1975), Ugandan politician * Molly Larkey, American artist * Molly Lazechko (1926–2010), American politician * Molly Leach (born 1960), American graphic designer * Molly Le Bas (1903–1996), British artist * Molly Lefebure (1919–2013), British writer * Molly Leishman (born 1998), New Zealand actress * Molly Lewis (born 1989), American musician * Molly Lewis (basketball) (born 1989), Australian basketball player * Molly Lewis (whistler), musical artist *

Molly Line Molly Line is an American news correspondent who works for Fox News Channel. She joined Fox News as a Boston-based correspondent in January 2006. Biography A 1995 graduate of Tucker County High School, Hambleton, West Virginia, Line attended ...

(born 1977), American news correspondent * Molly Luce (1896–1986), American painter * Molly Ludlow (born 1987), American middle-distance runner * Molly Luft (1944–2010), German prostitute and brothel owner * Molly Macalister (1920–1979), New Zealand artist * Molly MacArthur (1893–1972), English artist and stage designer * Molly K. Macauley (1957–2016), American economist * Mary MacCarthy (1882–1953), British writer associated with the "Bloomsbury Group" *

Molly Murphy MacGregor Molly Murphy MacGregor is one of the co-founders of the National Women's History Project, now known as the National Women's History Alliance. Her work contributed to the creation of Women's History Month, which is recognized every year in March. ...

, American educator * Molly Macindoe, American/New Zealander photographer and photojournalist * Molly Mackey (born 1992), American softball player and coach *

Molly Maguires The Molly Maguires was an Irish people, Irish 19th-century secret society active in Ireland, Liverpool, and parts of the eastern United States, best known for their activism among Irish-American and Irish diaspora, Irish immigrant coal miners i ...

, 19th century secret society in Ireland * Molly Mahood (1919–2017), British literary scholar * Molly Malone Cook (1925–2005), American photographer and partner to Mary Oliver *

Molly Malone "Molly Malone" ( Roud 16932, also known as "Cockles and Mussels" or "In Dublin's Fair City") is a song set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become the city's unofficial anthem. A statue representing Molly Malone, designed by Dublin artist Jeanne ...

(1888-1952), stage name of American actress Violet Malone *

Molly F. Mare Mary Florence "Molly" Mare (10 July 1914 – 27 August 1997), married name Spooner, was a British marine biologist who introduced the term meiobenthos in 1942. She was also an internationally recognized expert on oil spills."Spooner, Molly (1914� ...

(1914–1997), British marine biologist * Molly Marples (1908–1998), microbial ecologist * Molly Mason, American musician and composer * Molly Mathews, Australian basketball player * Molly Mayeux, American producer *

Molly McCann Molly Maria McCann Pearson (born 4 May 1990) is an English former mixed martial artist. She is a former Cage Warriors Flyweight Champion and formerly competed in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Ear ...

(born 1990), English mixed martial artist * Molly McCloskey (born 1964), American writer * Molly McClure (1919–2008), American actress *

Mollie McConnell Mollie McConnell (September 24, 1865 – December 9, 1920) was an American silent film actress. McConnell was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Mills Seminary in Oakland, California. She studied further at "Miss Grant's college" in Chica ...

(1865–1920), American theater and silent film actress * Molly McCook (born 1990), American actress * Molly McGee (1952–1994), American gridiron football player * Molly S. McGlennen, American poet *

Molly McGlynn Molly McGlynn is a Canadian Americans, Canadian American film and television director and screenwriter.

, Canadian film and television director and screenwriter * Molly McGrann, American poet * Molly McGrath (born 1989), American sportscaster and studio host * Molly McGreevy (1936–2015), American actress *

Molly McGuire Molly McGuire is a Canadian musician and visual artist based in New Orleans. As a visual artist, she works under the moniker "Magwire" and frequently features at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. As a musician, McGuire has performed and ...

, American musician * Molly McKay, American lawyer * Molly McKenna (born 2006), British trampoline gymnast * Molly McQuade, American poet, critic and editor * Molly Meacher, Baroness Meacher (born 1940), British politician *

Molly Meech Molly Meech (born 31 March 1993) is a New Zealand sailor. Meech won the 49er & 49er FX World Championships, 2013 49er FX World Championship and a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics alongside Alex Maloney. During the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup, ...

(born 1993), New Zealand sailor *

Molly Meldrum Ian Alexander "Molly" Meldrum AM (born 29 January 1943) is an Australian music critic, journalist, record producer and musical entrepreneur. He was the talent coordinator, on-air interviewer, and music news presenter on the former popular musi ...

(born 1943), Australian music journalist and media personality * Molly Menchel (born 1991), American soccer player * Molly Meyvisch (born 1995), Belgian cyclist * Molly A. Michael, American political operative *

Molly Miller Molly Miller (; born October 19, 1986) is an American college basketball coach. She is the head coach for the women's team at Arizona State University. She was the head coach at Grand Canyon University from 2020 to 2025. Miller also was the hea ...

, American women's college basketball coach * Molly Molloy (1940–2016), American dancer, choreographer and teacher * Molly Moore, several people *

Molly Morgan Molly Morgan (baptised 31 January 1762 – 27 June 1835) was an English landowner, farmer, and convict. She was born as Mary Jones in Ludlow, Shropshire, England, and stayed there throughout her childhood and early adulthood, marrying William ...

(c. 1762–1835), convict transported to Australia, landowner and farmer * Molly R. Morris (born 1956), American ecologist * Molly Morse, American civil engineer *

Molly Jugadai Napaltjarri Molly Jugadai Napaltjarri (1954–2011) was a Pintupi- and Luritja-speaking Aboriginal artist from Australia's Western Desert region. Her paintings are held in major collections, including the National Gallery of Australia. Life Molly Juga ...

(c. 1954–2011), Australian artist * Molly Nesbit (born 1952), American art critic and editor *

Molly Neuman Molly Neuman (born June 18, 1972) is an American drummer, writer and publisher, originally from the Washington, D.C. area who has performed in such influential bands as Bratmobile, the Frumpies, and the PeeChees. She was a pioneer of the earl ...

(born 1972), American drummer * Molly Newman, American television writer and producer *

Molly Nilsson Molly Lilly Maria Nilsson (born 14 December 1984) is a Swedish singer-songwriter and musician. She is the owner of an independent record label, Dark Skies Association, founded in 2009. As of 2004, Nilsson resides in Berlin. Early life Nilsso ...

(born 1984), Swedish singer songwriter and musician *

Molly Nutley Molly Nutley (born 16 March 1995) is a Swedish actress. She is the daughter of actress Helena Bergström and film director Colin Nutley. Nutley got her first minor role in a film in the film ''Så olika'' in 2009, which her mother directed. N ...

(born 1995), Swedish actress * Molly Nyman, British composer * Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer (born 1979), American sailor * Molly O'Day (1909–1998), American actress *

Molly O'Day (singer) Molly O'Day (July 9, 1923 – December 5, 1987) was an American country music vocalist. O'Day was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2007. Early life Lois LaVerne Williamson was born on a farm in Pike County, Kentucky, Unite ...

(1923–1987), American country music singer songwriter * Molly O'Keefe, American novelist * Molly O'Neill (1952–2019), American food writer, cookbook author and journalist * Molly O'Reilly, Irish Easter Rising Activist *

Mollie Orshansky Mollie Orshansky (January 9, 1915 – December 18, 2006) was an American economist and statistician who, in 1963–65, developed the ''Orshansky Poverty Thresholds'', which are used in the United States as a measure of the income that a household ...

(1915–2006), American economist and statistician * Molly Knox Ostertag (born 1991), American cartoonist and writer * Molly O'Toole, American immigration and security reporter *

Molly Parden Molly Parden is an American folk musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. History Parden was born in Atlanta and raised in Jonesboro, Georgia Jonesboro () is a city in and the county seat of Clayton County, Georgia, United States. The popul ...

, American folk musician * Molly Neptune Parker (1939–2020), American basketweaver *

Molly Parker Molly Parker (born June 30, 1972) is a Canadian actress, writer, and director. She garnered critical attention for her portrayal of a necrophiliac medical student in the controversial drama '' Kissed'' (1996). She subsequently starred in the tel ...

(born 1972), Canadian actress *

Molly Parkin Molly Parkin (born Molly Noyle Thomas, 3 February 1932) is a Welsh painter, novelist and journalist, who became most well-known for her work on ''Nova'' magazine, newspapers and television in the 1960s. Early life Parkin was born on 3 February ...

(born 1932), Welsh painter, novelist and journalist * Molly Peacock (born 1947), American-Canadian poet, essayist and creative non-fiction writer * Molly Pearson (1875–1959), Scottish stage actress * Molly Penfold, New Zealand cricketer * Molly Pesce (born 1963), American actress *

Molly Peters Mollie Peters (15 March 1939 – 29 May 2017), born Vivien Mollie Rudderham, was an English actress and model best known for her role as Bond girl Patricia Fearing in the James Bond film '' Thunderball''. Career Molly Peters started out as a mo ...

, English actress and model * Mollie Phillips (1907–1994), British figure skater * Molly Picklum, Australian professional surfer *

Molly Picon Molly Picon (; Malka Opiekun; February 28, 1898 – April 5, 1992) was an American actress of stage, screen, radio and television, as well as a lyricist and dramatic storyteller. She began her career in Yiddish theatre and film, rising to a s ...

(née Małka Opiekun; 1898–1992), American actress in Yiddish theatre and film * Molly Pike (born 2001), English footballer *

, nickname of a woman said to have fought in the American Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth, generally believed to have been Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley * Molly Poppinz, Australian drag performer *

Molly Price Molly Price is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Faith Yokas in the NBC drama series ''Third Watch'' (1999–2005). Price has also appeared in recurring and guest-starring roles in many other television dramas and co-starred ...

(born 1966), American actress * Molly Przeworski, American population geneticist * Molly Qerim (born 1984), American sports anchor * Molly C. Quinn (born 1993), American actress *

Molly Quinn Molly Caitlyn Quinn (born October 8, 1993) is an American actress who has worked in theatre, film, and television. Her roles include Alexis Castle, daughter of the title character on ABC's ''Castle'', and the voice of Bloom, one of the main cha ...

(born 1993), American actress *

Molly Rainford Molly Anne Rainford (born 22 November 2000) is an English actress, singer and television presenter. She was a finalist on the Britain's Got Talent series 6, sixth series of ''Britain's Got Talent'' in 2012 and was one of the presenters on ''Fri ...

(born 2000), English actress and singer * Molly M. Raiser, American politician * Molly Ranson, American actress and singer * Molly Rapert (born 1963), marketing academic * Molly Raphael, American librarian *

Molly Raynor Molly Raynor (June 5, 1905 – 12 March 1976) was a New Zealand and Australia, Australian actress. Raynor was born 5 June 1905 in Dunedin, New Zealand. She left New Zealand as a school girl to study music, elocution, and singing at the Sydney ...

(1905–1976), New Zealand-born actress * Molly Reilly (1922–1980), Canadian pilot *

Molly Renshaw Molly Renshaw (born 6 May 1996) is an English breaststroke swimmer. In 2016, she won the 200 metres breaststroke at the 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). Career In 2012, she won the national 200 m title, but was not selected for t ...

(born 1996), English swimmer *

Molly Reynolds Molly Reynolds may refer to: * Molly Reynolds (director) Molly Reynolds is an Australian producer, screenwriter and director, best known for the 2021 documentary '' My Name is Gulpilil'' about acclaimed actor and dancer David Gulpilil (1953–2021 ...

, Australian producer, screenwriter and director * Molly Rhone (born 1944), Jamaican politician *

Molly Ringwald Molly Kathleen Ringwald (born February 18, 1968) is an American actress, writer, and translator. She began her career as a child actress on the sitcoms ''Diff'rent Strokes'' and '' The Facts of Life'' (both 1979–1980) before being nominated for ...

(born 1968), American actress, singer, and dancer * Molly Ritson (born 1999), Australian rules footballer * Molly Robson (born 1942), Australian politician * Molly Rush, American activist * Molly Samuel-Leport (born 1961), British karateka *

Molly Sandén Molly My Marianne Sandén (born 3 July 1992), also known by her middle name My Marianne, is a Swedish pop singer and voice actress. As a teenager, she represented Sweden in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006, Junior Eurovision Song Contest ...

(born 1992), Swedish singer *

Molly Sarlé Molly Sarlé is an American musician. She is a member of the folk group Mountain Man and in 2019 released a solo album, '' Karaoke Angel''. Early life and Mountain Man Sarlé was born in Santa Cruz, California, and attended Bennington College in ...

, American musician * Molly Schaus (born 1988), American ice hockey goaltender and coach * Molly Schumer, American scientist * Molly Schuyler (born 1979), American competitive eater * Molly Scott, several people * Molly Scuffil-McCabe (born 1995), Irish rugby union player * Molly Searcy (born 1986), American voice actress * Molly Seaton, Northern Irish footballer * Molly Elliot Seawell (1860–1916), American dramatist * Molly Secours, American film producer *

Molly Seidel Molly Seidel (born July 12, 1994) is an American long distance runner. Seidel represented the United States at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in 2012, 2013, and 2018. In her first-ever marathon, Seidel placed second at the 2020 U.S. Marath ...

(born 1994), American long-distance runner *

Molly Shannon Molly Shannon (born September 16, 1964) is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1995 to 2001. In 2017, she won the Film Independent Spirit Award for playing Joanne ...

(born 1964), American comic actress * Molly Shattuck (born c. 1967), American socialite and oldest NFL cheerleader * Molly Shoichet, Canadian biomedical engineer * Molly Silfen (born 1980), American judge * Molly Simpson (born 2002), Canadian track cyclist *

Molly Sims Molly Sims (born May 25, 1973) is an American fashion model and actress. She was featured in campaigns for Jimmy Choo, Escada, Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, and Chanel, among others. She frequently modeled for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Iss ...

(born 1973), American model and actress * Mary

Mollie Skinner Mary Louisa (Mollie) Skinner (18761955) was a Western Australian author, best known for the novel '' The Boy in the Bush'' co-authored with D. H. Lawrence. Biography Mollie Skinner was born on 19 September 1876 to a Western Australian family ...

(1876–1955), Australian Quaker, nurse and writer * Molly Smith, American theatre director *

Molly Smith (producer) Molly Smith (born March 12, 1981) is an American film producer. Smith is the daughter of FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith and the sister to Windland Smith Rice, a photographer, and Arthur Smith (American football coach), Arthur Smith, the current ...

(born 1973), American film producer * Molly Smitten-Downes (born 1987), British singer-songwriter * Molly Smolen, American ballet dancer * Mary "Mollie" Sneden (1709–1810), ferry operator before and after the American Revolution * Molly Soda (born 1989), performance artist *

Molly Spearman Molly Mitchell Spearman (born January 23, 1954) is an American educator and politician who served as the South Carolina Superintendent of Education from 2015 to 2023. She is a Republican. She grew up on her family's farm in Saluda County, South ...

(born 1954), American teacher and politician * Molly Spotted Elk (1903–1977), American actress * Molly Springfield (born 1977), American artist *

Molly Stanton Molly Stanton is an American actress and aesthetician from Santa Monica, California. Biography Stanton is best known for her role as Charity Standish on the soap opera '' Passions'' from the show's debut in 1999 until 2004. Stanton also played C ...

(born 1980), American actress *

Molly Stark Molly Stark, née Elizabeth Page (February 16, 1737 – June 29, 1814) was the wife of General John Stark, made famous by his battle cry during the American Revolutionary War. Described as "mother of 11 children, homemaker, patriot, and def ...

(1737–1814), American Revolutionary War figure * Marthe "Mollie" Steimer (1897–1980), Russian-American anarchist, trade unionist, anti-war activist and free-speech campaigner *

Molly Sterling Molly Sterling (born 8 March 1998) is an Irish singer and songwriter who Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Playing with Numbers". Biography Sterling grew up in P ...

(born 1998), Irish singer and songwriter *

Molly Stevens Dame Molly Morag Stevens is the John Black Professor of Bionanoscience at the University of Oxford's Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics. She is Deputy Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery and a member of the Depart ...

(born 1974), British academic * Molly Strano (born 1992), Australian cricketer * Mollie Sugden (1922–2009), British actress * Molly Sullivan French (born 1979), American team reporter * Molly Sullivan Sliney (born 1966), American fencer * Molly Summerhayes (born 1997), British freestyle skier * Molly DeWolf Swenson, American film producer * Molly Tanzer (born 1981), American writer * Molly Tarlov (born 1986), American actress * Molly Tay (born 1952), Singaporean swimmer * Molly Taylor (born 1988), Australian female racing driver * Mememolly (born Molly Templeton in 1989), British-Canadian Internet personality * Molly Thompson-Smith (born 1997), British rock climber * Mollie Tibbetts (1998–2018), American Killing of Mollie Tibbetts, murder victim * Molly Turner (1923–2016), American journalist * Molly Tuttle (born 1993), American singer and musician * Molly Urquhart (1906–1977), Scottish actress * Molly Van Nostrand (born 1965), American tennis player * Molly Verney (1675–1696), British artist * Molly Walker (footballer), Molly Walker, English footballer * Molly Manning Walker, British cinematographer, screenwriter and director * Molly Watcke (born 1971), American long-distance runner * Molly Weaver (born 1994), British cyclist * Molly Weir (1910–2004), Scottish actress * Molly White (politician) (born 1958), American politician in the Texas House of Representatives * Molly White (writer) (born 1993), American software engineer * Molly Wieland, English diver * Molly Williams, first known female and Black firefighter in the U.S. * Molly Williamson, American diplomat * Molly Windsor (born 1997), British actress * Molly Wizenberg, American chef, entrepreneur and writer * Molly Wood (born 1975), American executive editor and writer * Molly Worthen, American politician and journalist * Molly Wright (disambiguation), Molly Wright, several people * Molly Yard (1912–2005), American feminist * Molly Yeh (born 1989), American chef * Molly Yestadt, American fashion designer * Molly Zuckerman-Hartung, American painter

Fictional characters

In television and film

* Julie's Aunt Molly from ''Barney & Friends: The Alphabet Zoo'' * Molly Goldberg, from ''The Goldbergs (broadcast series)'' * Molly, a young baby frog who is one of the main characters in Cat Kid Comic Club, also playing a role in Dog Man * Molly Jones, from ''A Country Practice'' * Molly Baker, English name of List of Sailor Moon characters#Naru Osaka, Naru Osaka from ''Sailor Moon'' * List of The Young and the Restless characters (1990s)#Molly Carter, Molly Carter, from ''The Young and the Restless'' * Molly Coddle, from Bump in the Night (TV series), ''Bump in the Night'' (TV series) * Molly Dobbs, from ''Coronation Street'' * List of Mike & Molly characters#Molly Flynn, Molly Flynn-Biggs, from ''Mike & Molly'' * List of Sherlock characters#Molly Hooper, Molly Hooper, from ''Sherlock'' * Molly Jensen, the character played by Demi Moore in Ghost (1990 film), ''Ghost'' * Molly Lasch, from We'll Meet Again (2002 film), ''We'll Meet Again'' (2002 film) * List of General Hospital characters (2000s)#Molly Lansing-Davis, Molly Lansing-Davis, from ''General Hospital'' * Molly MacDonald, from Arthur (TV series), ''Arthur'' (TV series) * Molly Monster, from ''Little Muppet Monsters'' * Molly the Mermaid, from ''Barney and the Backyard Gang: A Day at the Beach'' * List of recurring Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters#O'Brien, Molly, Molly O'Brien, from ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' * List of Heroes characters#Molly Walker, Molly Walker, from ''Heroes'' (American TV series) * List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Introduced in season seven (2002–2003), Molly, from ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' * List of Friends and Joey characters#Molly, Molly, from ''Friends'' and ''Joey'' * Ōban Star-Racers#Main characters, Eva "Molly" Wei, from ''Ōban Star-Racers'' * The Big Comfy Couch#Molly, Molly, from ''The Big Comfy Couch'' * List of Toy Story characters#Molly Davis, Molly Davis, from ''Toy Story'' * Molly Williams, from My Little Pony (TV series), ''My Little Pony'' (TV series) * Molly, from Annie (1982 film), ''Annie'' (1982 film) * Molly, from ''The Bubble Guppies'' * Molly, from ''Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey'' * Molly, from ''The Basil Brush Show'' * Molly, from ''Thomas & Friends'' * Molly McGee (The Ghost and Molly McGee), Molly McGee, from ''The Ghost and Molly McGee'' * Molly McGee, from ''Fibber McGee and Molly'' * List of Final Destination characters#Molly Harper, Molly Harper, from ''Final Destination 5'' * List of The Amazing World of Gumball characters#Molly Collins, Molly Collins, from ''The Amazing World of Gumball'' * Order of the Phoenix (fictional organisation)#Molly Weasley, Molly Weasley, from the ''Harry Potter'' franchise * Molly Solverson, from Fargo (TV series), ''Fargo'' (TV series) * Molly Gunn, from ''Uptown Girls'' * Molly Cunningham, from ''TaleSpin'' * Molly Cobb, from For All Mankind (TV series), ''For All Mankind'' (TV Series)

In books and comics

* Milly-Molly-Mandy from the books by Joyce Lankester Brisley * Molly Millions (also known as Sally Shears), from the stories and novels by William Gibson * Molly McIntire, protagonist from the ''American Girl'' series * Molly Moon (character), Molly Moon, from the ''Molly Moon'' series * Order of the Phoenix (fictional organisation)#Molly Weasley, Molly Weasley, from the ''Harry Potter'' series * Molly Weasley Jr., Percy Weasley's daughter in the ''Harry Potter'' series * Molly Bloom, wife of Leopold Bloom in James Joyce's ''Ulysses'' * Molly Fitzgerald, alter ego of the Marvel Comics superhero Shamrock (comics), Shamrock * Animal Farm#Equines, Mollie, from the novel ''Animal Farm'' * Molly Mallard, a Disney character who is Scrooge McDuck's paternal grandmother * The Dresden Files characters#Molly Carpenter, Molly Carpenter, whose full name is Margaret Katherine Amanda Carpenter, is initially featured in ''The Dresden Files'' as a recurring character, but grows into a main role in the novels following "Proven Guilty" * Molly the Goldfish Fairy, from the ''Rainbow Magic'' franchise * Molly, shortened name of Lady Emily Lenox, the sister-in-law of Charles Lenox in Charles Finch's mysteries * Molly Gibson, main character in Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters * Molly OShea, character from 2018´s Red Dead redemption 2. * Molly Schultz, character from GTA V.

In Music

* Molly Jones in Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, by the Beatles

Animals

*Polly and Molly, cloned sheep *Molly, daughter of Ginger and Rocky (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Chicken Run)

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Molly English given names English feminine given names Feminine given names Hypocorisms Irish feminine given names