Molly

Molly is an English pet form of Mary, which derives from the Hebrew name Miryam, whose exact meaning is debated but is often associated with roots meaning beloved, bitter, or wished-for child. The name became widely used in medieval England as an affectionate diminutive, following the common practice of replacing the initial consonant of a name to create familiar variants, as also seen in Polly from Poll from Mary. Molly gained particular cultural prominence in Ireland, where it remains strongly associated with Irish identity, and it appears in well-known folk songs and literary works. Related forms include Mollie, while the parent name Mary connects it to cognates such as Maria, Marie, and Marion.