NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Molli

A feminine diminutive of Mary, a name derived from the Hebrew meaning "bitter".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Molli is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Molli popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 21 births.

This profile covers 167 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 14% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 166 living people in the UK are called Molli. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Molli ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 21 girls were registered as Molli.
  • About 166 living people in the UK are estimated to have Molli as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2005

21 births

Estimated living

166

2026

Meaning

What does Molli mean?

The name Molli is believed to have originated as a diminutive form of the Old German name Amalia, which means "work" or "industrious." The name Amalia itself is derived from the Germanic element "amal," meaning "work" or "labor." The diminutive form "Molli" likely emerged as a nickname or shortened version of Amalia in certain regions of Germany and surrounding areas during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Molli can be found in the writings of the German poet and playwright Hans Sachs, who lived from 1494 to 1576. In his plays and poems, Sachs often used the name Molli as a character, typically portraying her as a hardworking and diligent woman, reflecting the name's etymological roots.

Another notable historical figure named Molli was Molli Kringelein, a German merchant and philanthropist who lived in the 16th century. Kringelein was known for her generosity and donated a significant portion of her wealth to various charitable causes, particularly those aimed at helping the poor and underprivileged.

In the 18th century, Molli Frölich, a German painter and engraver, gained recognition for her intricate and detailed works of art. Her paintings often depicted scenes from everyday life, capturing the essence of her time with remarkable attention to detail.

During the 19th century, Molli Wiegand, a German author and poet, made a name for herself with her poignant and evocative writings. Her works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, resonating with readers across Germany and beyond.

Another notable figure named Molli was Molli von Laubach, a German philosopher and scholar who lived in the early 20th century. Von Laubach was a prominent figure in the field of ethics and moral philosophy, contributing significantly to the academic discourse of her time.

While the name Molli has its roots in German culture and language, it has since gained popularity in various parts of the world, with variations in spelling and pronunciation. However, the core meaning of the name, derived from its Old German origins, remains closely tied to the ideas of hard work, diligence, and industriousness.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Molli over time

The chart below shows babies named Molli registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Molli, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 21 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Molli
05111621199620102024

Decades

Molli by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Molli was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5891 3 1
2010s #4931 25 6
2000s #2553 106 10
1990s #1961 33 4

Related

Names similar to Molli

FAQ

Molli: questions and answers

How popular is the name Molli in the UK right now?

In 2024, Molli was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Molli most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 21 babies registered as Molli in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Molli?

A feminine diminutive of Mary, a name derived from the Hebrew meaning "bitter".

How many people are called Molli in the UK?

A total of 167 babies have been registered as Molli across the 21 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.